Mechanic Street to Close On Feb. 27 For Railroad Bridge Construction Work

The Mechanic Street bridge during construction in November 2022.  MDOT photo.

(February 22, 2023 4:29 PM) The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will close Mechanic Street to resume improvements around a railroad bridge. This work is part of the Jackson Railroad Bridges Replacement Project to replace two century-old railroad bridges over Jackson and Mechanic streets. The project also includes replacement of the railroad grade crossing at Blackstone Street.  

The bridges are on a segment of railroad owned by MDOT within the federally designated high-speed rail corridor between Chicago and Detroit/Pontiac, supporting Amtrak passenger service and Norfolk Southern freight trains. The $32.9 million project is estimated to be completed in October 2023. 

 Mechanic Street will close to traffic on Feb. 27 and Blackstone Street will close in early April. Jackson Street will remain open until the railroad bridges are replaced in August. Detroit and Van Buren streets will remain closed through the end of the project. Motorists should follow the posted detours.