Approximately 800 bridges maintained by cities and counties across Michigan are rated in serious or critical condition, but the necessary repairs come with a hefty price tag. With an estimated $2 billion required to get all state-owned bridges up to good or fair condition, and another $1.5 billion to do the same for all local agency-owned bridges, MDOT engaged a design-build team to pilot a local agency bridge bundling program.
MDOT has used the concept to maintain state-owned bridges for years, but now the agency is using it for 19 city or county-owned bridges through a bundle with contractors. Bundling projects helps address the immediate need for bridge projects and makes them more cost-effective. This particular contract is part of MDOT’s mission to deliver a bridge bundling program that ensures public safety to Michigan residents, travelers, and visitors, resulting in sustained improvements to the state’s local bridge system.
Two bridge contractors, CA Hull and Anlaan, are leading this contract with Benesch as the lead designer. The pilot includes 19 local agency-owned bridges around the state with major bridge elements in serious or critical condition. The scope of work for these bridges is superstructure replacement, which includes full removal and replacement of the bridge deck and supporting beams. These bridges have 60 or 90-day construction durations.