US-23 bascule bridge in Cheboygan to be reopened to traffic April 25

GAYLORD, Mich. - Following inspections and scans that identified no erosion concerns, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will lower the US-23 bascule bridge in Cheboygan and reopen it to roadway traffic at 7 a.m. Saturday, April 25.

MDOT raised the bridge April 12 to protect against potential damage from debris flowing down the Cheboygan River and to keep vehicle occupants and pedestrians safe.

MDOT engineers will continue to monitor water levels and conditions at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex upstream from the dam. An operator from the Cheboygan County Road Commission will be on site ready to open the bridge in an emergency, if needed.

On April 10, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Cheboygan County due to rising water levels at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex. By declaring a state of emergency, the governor authorized the use of all available state resources to assist local response and recovery operations in the affected county.

The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) is coordinating the state's emergency response through the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).

For more information on the current SEOC activation follow MSP/EMHSD on Xand Facebook. For tips on how to prepare before, during and after an emergency or disaster, visit www.Michigan.gov/MIReady.

Cheboygan Bascule Bridge in the open position.