Starting tonight (Monday), emergency repairs will begin on the damaged Bizzell Grove Church Road Bridge over Interstate 95 near Micro. The repairs will require the overnight closure of the interstate in that area for about two weeks. The bridge sustained beam damage when it was struck by an oversized tractor-trailer load earlier this month.
The bridge had been closed nearly two weeks because of the damage but reopened to limited car traffic only last Thursday. For safety purposes the travel lanes were narrowed, to prevent large trucks and buses from crossing the bridge.
The repair work, which will cost about $106,000, involves using heat to straighten out the damaged steel beams.
All the work will be performed at night, and will require the closure of I-95 South between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. on Monday through Thursday, and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday through Sunday. The repairs are expected to take about two weeks, wrapping up around May 9.
During the closure, all southbound I-95 traffic will detour at Exit 105 (Bagley Road). Drivers will turn right onto Bagley Road, and then left onto U.S. 301 South. They will be directed to turn left at Main Street in Micro, and that will take them back to I-95 at Exit 102.
The Bizzell Grove Church Road Bridge will remain open during the repairs, but with the car-only restrictions. The detour route for larger vehicles sends drivers onto U.S. 301, Micro Road and Lowell Mill Road to get around the restricted access.
Drivers are urged to watch for detour signs in both locations and pay attention to the roadway restriction for Bizzell Grove Church Road.
