News Story

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard Bridge Reconstruction Project Update

“Rebuilding this bridge with state and federal support is a major infrastructure win for Pontiac, and reopening this bridge to traffic is a major commuting win for Pontiac drivers. We’ve got so many projects underway throughout our city, but this one of  our Administration’s top ten priorities for Pontiac in 2026."
- Pontiac Mayor Mike McGuinness

Pontiac, we’re making great progress on rebuilding and reopening the closed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge. The bridge over railroad tracks is on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard South, between South Boulevard and Woodward Avenue. It was previously closed years ago due to safety concerns, and it was a long journey to secure all funding. Thankfully, full funding was secured from state and federal partners to rebuild this important infrastructure. And then it was a long journey to get the engineering design and contract bidding processes completed.

For 2026, luckily, it has been full steam ahead. We’ve been sharing progress updates on the city’s social media pages, but wanted to check in here, too, in case this is the main way you get updates from City Hall and in case you’d enjoy the deeper dive.

Design and Demolition Work Completed: Construction began in November 2025. Designs, plans, and shop drawings were completed for beams, bearing pads, Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls, noise walls, streetlights, bridge demolition, concrete mix, and more. Minor demolition work on site began in December 2025 and continued in January 2026, including: Median barrier wall removal, Sound wall removal, Tree removal and brush clearing, Fence removal, Sidewalk removal, and Streetlight removal. Bridge deck removal began mid-January. Mid-March the existing bridge was fully removed, and the crew began preparation for pile driving.

Reconstruction Work Completed so Far: Test piles were driven mid-March to verify the ground resistance was met. With successfully passed results, pile driving was completed without complication by mid-April. The area for the Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Wall was prepared and concrete pad poured by the end of April. MSE Wall construction continued from the end of April to just after Memorial Day. Finishing of the abutments took place these last couple of weeks in June. In late June, the substantial beams were delivered to site and set in place.

Here’s a summary of the remaining work to be completed in these final months:

July 2026 – Existing roadway removed and grading starts for the new roadway. The pan decking and reinforcement installed and bridge deck is poured. Work on the barrier wall and sidewalk that goes over the bridge continues. Noise wall construction begins in late July. Work on the roadway from the bridge north to South Boulevard continues.

August 2026 – Finish the barrier wall and bridge sidewalk. Bridge approaches poured.  Roadway from the bridge north to South Boulevard finished. Work on the roadway from the bridge south to Woodward Avenue to begin. Noise wall construction will finish.

September 2026 – Finish remaining roadway. Build a median barrier wall for the roadway and begin installation of sidewalk and streetlights.

October 2026 – Finish sidewalks and streetlights, install guardrails and fencing. Place pavement markings and restore site.

November 2026 – Install signs and clean up site.

December 2026 – Bridge to reopen to traffic.