Jackson and Mechanics Streets Reopen as Railroad Bridges Project Pauses for Winter

Mechanic Street under construction at the railroad bridge in early November.  MDOT photo.

(November 21, 2022 12:10 PM) On Tuesday, Nov. 22, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will reopen Jackson and Mechanic streets for the winter near downtown Jackson. Detroit and Van Buren streets will remain closed and drivers should continue to follow the posted detours. 

These local streets were closed as part of the Jackson railroad bridges replacement project to replace two century-old bridges over Jackson and Mechanic streets. The project also includes replacing the railroad grade crossing at Blackstone Street. The project required closing several city streets to complete the work safely.   

Next spring, Jackson and Mechanic streets will be closed again when the contractor resumes work. The bridges are on a segment of railroad owned by MDOT within the federally designated high-speed rail corridor between Chicago and Detroit/Pontiac, which supports Amtrak passenger service and Norfolk Southern freight trains. The $32.9 million project is estimated to be completed in August 2023.