Midwest Bridge Closures Include Planned Replacement, Safety Shutdowns

The Elms Road bridge over the Flint River in Flushing Township will remain closed into the 2027 construction season after inspectors found further deterioration in its beams. The Genesee County Road Commission, with Michigan Department of Transportation support, has replaced its original repair plan with a full replacement of the bridge’s beams and deck. Demolition is expected to begin soon, with work continuing through winter; the project will be redesigned and rebid before a new contractor starts construction in 2027. Officials say the replacement should provide about 50 years of service, compared with an estimated 10 years from the original plan, but a reopening date has not been set.