Shifting bridge shuts down I-94 in Battle Creek

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Eastbound and westbound I-94 have been shut down at Riverside Drive in Battle Creek, and may not reopen until sometime next week.

Construction workers have been working to replace the 50-year-old bridges that run over Riverside Drive, but today workers noticed that the soil under the bridges had caused the foundation to shift unexpectedly, as much as six to eight inches.

That shift happened around noon, and shortly thereafter, MDOT officials decided to close the bridges.

Traffic is currently being re-routed off I-94 at Capital Avenue to Beckley Road and then to M-66 before returning to the freeway. Large trucks are being detoured from Exit 92 along the business route to Exit 103 on Columbia Avenue.

During rush hour, those detours backed up traffic for as much as five miles in each direction.

MSP troopers are asking that if possible, drivers avoid the area until further notice. Otherwise, be prepared for major travel delays - as much as a few hours.

MDOT plans to finish posting detour signs along the highway tonight, with large flashing billboards at Galesburg to the west and Jackson to the east, warning people about the upcoming highway closures.

Battle Creek officials have been working to re-time the city's traffic lights in certain areas as well, to help lessen the detour delays.

Engineers have quit working on the bridge for the evening, but will be back Friday morning to assess the damage.

MDOT officials say that before they reopen either bridge, the foundation needs to be strengthened. They are hopeful they will be able to reopen the highway early next week.

Newschannel 3 will bring you the latest at 10 p.m. tonight, on the CW-7.