Merriman Road Bridge Project

Announcement

This Project is Scheduled to be completed November 20, 2024

  • Project typeRoads/Bridges
  • Completion DateDecember 31, 2024

History of the Project

The Merriman Road Bridge Project encompasses the necessary reconstruction of two vital bridges, one spanning over Hines Drive and the other over the Rouge River, as well as the resurfacing of Merriman Road from James Avenue to Hawthorne Drive in City of Westland. The multi-phased project, which began in January 2023, is divided into three parts, including:

  • the demolition and reconstruction of the Merriman Road Bridge over Hines Drive
  • the demolition and reconstruction of the Merriman Road Bridge over the Rouge River
  • resurfacing of Merriman Road from James Avenue to Hawthorne Drive

Challenges

What issues have been encountered during the project?

As with any complex project, unforeseen circumstances may occur during the construction phase. During the construction of the Merriman Road Bridge over the Rouge River, several such situations emerged. While installing the cofferdam for the bridge abutments, difficulties arose due to a nearby sanitary line running parallel to Merriman Road.

Continuing construction around the buried concrete debris from an old, abandoned wastewater treatment system posed a concern. This debris could potentially cause an existing sanitary sewer to shift, affecting the structural integrity of the sewer and resulting in further construction delays. 

Addressing the Challenges

What steps were taken to address this issue?

Due to the sewer's critical role in transporting wastewater from upstream communities, additional design and planning was required to ensure safe construction of the bridge abutments while preserving the public health standards and the structural integrity of the sewer. As a result, the bridge was redesigned to accommodate the conflict encountered during construction.

Additionally, the sanitary sewer was bypassed and pumped around the site to prevent any potential leaks during the construction process. 

Location

7317-7399 N Merriman Rd, Westland, MI 48185  View Map

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What is the Status of the Construction Project?

Several milestones have been achieved in the Merriman Bridges construction Project:

  • Completion of the new Merriman Road Bridge over Hines Drive
  • Completion of Merriman Road resurfacing from James Avenue to Warren Road
  • Traffic signal modernization at Merriman Road and Hawthorne Drive

Next Steps

The upcoming stages of the Merriman Bridges construction project include:

  • Completion of the Merriman Road Bridge over the Rouge River
  • Finalization of the resurfacing of Merriman Road between Hawthorne Drive and Hines Drive Bridge
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