Atlas Twp.-Vandals allegedly eager to cross the closed Green Road bridge removed two earthen barricades along with road closed signs and opened the 70-year-old structure that crosses the Kearsley Creek east of M-15.
Genesee County Road Commission Manager-Director John Daly said the bridge was shut down indefinitely by the GCRC following a Dec.13 inspection with engineers from Flint-based WadeTrim. The bridge, however, was left open for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
About 10 days ago, the GCRC received notification that two 5-yard piles of dirt blocking the bridge opening were removed from the roadway allowing traffic to drive over the bridge.
‘People don’t realize they are creating a danger to the public,? said Daly. ‘The condition of the bridge is such that a school bus could have gone through, or even a heavy H1 Hummer SUV could have gone through the deck.?
Daly said the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department will investigate the incident.
The GCRC and the township agreed on March 30 to move forward with a contract to replace the Green Road Bridge. The project will cost $425,000, of which the county will fund $85,000 for engineering fees and the township will cover the $340,000. Atlas Township Supervisor Shirley Kautman-Jones said funding for the project will come from the general township fund.
Bids for the project will be sent out by July 7 and a contract will be awarded by Aug. 4. Construction should begin by Aug. 17 and the bridge will open for traffic by Nov. 6.