Bridge near Lake Michigan closed due to technical defect

To update: According to MDOT, the bridge reopened to vehicles at 5:20 p.m. on Thursday, June 27.

BERRIEN COUNTY, MI – I-94 (Main Street) is closed to traffic in both directions due to a disruption of the Bicentennial Bridge, the Michigan Department of Transportation reports.

MDOT announced the closure before 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 27. MDOT did not announce an estimated timeline for the closure.

The Bicentennial Bridge over the St. Joseph River – connecting the cities of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor – is located at mile 1.30 on the I-94 Business Loop.

There are “mechanical problems” on the bridge, the city of St. Joseph said on Thursday, June 27, and police are directing traffic.

The bridge can be raised and lowered to allow boat traffic underneath and vehicle traffic above. Officials did not disclose what position the bridge was in Thursday afternoon.

Previously, the bridge was closed for about three weeks in April as MDOT worked to repair a broken part that prevented the bridge from being raised and lowered.

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