To reduce costs and minimize the inconvenience to motorists, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will close the John Beers Road bridge over Interstate 94 in Stevensville, Berrien County, for three weeks starting Monday to complete bridge repairs.

Originally, traffic was going to be maintained on the John Beers Road bridge throughout the $825,000 project. However, the new three-week schedule will result in the bridge reopening in early May instead of October, resulting in higher quality construction at a lower cost.

“By allowing the contractor to completely close the John Beers Road bridge, work can be finished much faster. This will reduce the project cost and minimize traffic disruption, all while maintaining the same emergency response times for residents along the lake shore,” said Chris Jacobs, MDOT resident construction engineer. “The finished product will be much better and last longer, stretching this taxpayer investment even further.”

During the John Beers Road closure, traffic will be detoured to Notre Dame Avenue, Marquette Woods Road and Red Arrow Highway. I-94 traffic will be directed to use Exit 23 at Red Arrow Highway.

The bridge repairs will include repaving, repairing barriers, coating structural steel, repairing the substructure and approach work. After work is complete on John Beers Road and the bridge is reopened, work will continue on the bridge from I-94. Some intermittent single-lane closures may be necessary.

All work on this project is scheduled to be complete by Aug. 10.