Project to replace rail trestle bridge in Bingham Twp.

Work to replace the existing railroad trestle bridge over County Road 633 in Bingham Township will start no later then May 29.

That’s the word from the contractor for the $212,000 project, which will result in the elimination of four large concrete abutments on 633 just south of the County Road 618 intersection. The county Road Commission, working with TART Trails, Inc., secured a federal transportation safety grant through the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to replace the trestle bridge that is part of the Leelanau Trail.

Commission engineer James C. Johnson said he spoke with the owner of L. W. Lamb, Inc., the project’s general contractor, who reported its supplier is taking longer than expected in getting materials needed for the new wooden bridge. Work was originally expected to begin in early May.

The new bridge will support the weight of two fire trucks, but will not require the same support system currently in place.

TART Trails has secured the $28,000 local match for the grant to pay for the replacement, and no Road Commission funds will be used for the project.

Johnson said even with a late May start, the contract requires work to be completed before July 4.

“Once they get going, they will keep working until the project is completed,” he said.

The official road traffic detour will be Bingham Road (618) to Lake Leelanau Drive (County Road 641) to Fouch Road (County Road 614). Lakeview Hills Road could be used as substitute for lighter vehicles.

Once work on taking down the existing bridge begins, no through traffic will be allowed. “We will have the area cordoned off. There will be no safe way to allow traffic through the area when they’re taking down the concrete abutments,” Johnson said.

TART Trails will establish a detour around the work project as well. Signs will direct trail users to a path that connects with 633 so that the construction zone is bypassed.