Blue Water Bridge from the sky. (BlackburnNews.com photo by Melanie Irwin)Blue Water Bridge from the sky. (BlackburnNews.com photo by Melanie Irwin)
Sarnia

Tree removal to make way for Blue Water Bridge plaza improvements

Work is scheduled to start this week near the American side of the Blue Water Bridge to make way for plaza improvements.

The Michigan Department of Transportation [MDOT] said crews will start removing trees in Port Huron -- across nearly half an acre -- adjacent to the plaza near Pine Grove Avenue, Harker Street, Scott Avenue and westbound I-94 from Garfield to the Black River. 

The work is being done in advance of improvements that will see the eastbound I-94 exit ramp at Pine Grove Avenue relocated.

Sound walls will also be built along portions of the project limits and Pine Grove Avenue and 10th Avenue will be reconfigured.

MDOT said a total of 110 trees were flagged for removal, but an effort was made to leave mature and developed trees north of Scott Avenue, which will support a non-motorized path in the future.

Traffic in the area could be restricted at times while the work is completed.

MDOT said the work is being done now so maternity roosting season for bats, which begins in early April, isn't impacted.

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