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Bridge Construction Begins Over Southfield Fwy.

The biggest road project of the year is underway in Metro Detroit. Construction on the bridges over the Southfield Freeway began following the rush Monday morning.

MDOT crews are setting up the bridge work on 8 Mile Road over M-39. By afternoon, both directions of 8 Mile over M-39 will have two-lanes open, two-lanes closed.

The southbound M-39 exit to 8 Mile Road will be closed, and traffic from the northbound service drive to 8 Mile will have to use Circle Drive.

Southbound service drive traffic will not be able to access 8 Mile and will have to use a detour.

MDOT says the lane restrictions are needed when crews prepare to demolish the bridges, which had been tentatively scheduled for this weekend. Both bridges will be rebuilt one-half at a time to allow 8 Mile Road to remain open during the project.

During demolition, both directions of the Southfield Freeway will be closed at 8 Mile Road.

MDOT is overseeing the $80 million construction project. In all, 24 bridges will be rehabilitated and more than three miles of the Southfield Freeway will be reconstructed this year.

For the latest from the roads, stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 for Traffic and Weather on the 8s, 24 hours a day. Current traffic info is also available anytime at this link.

 You can get a list of statewide lane closures at: www.michigan.gov/drive. Follow MDOT at www.twitter.com/MichiganDOT.

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