Media Contact:

Tiffani Jackson
313-421-9192
tjackson1@waynecounty.com
Ryan Bridges
313-354-4556
rbridges@waynecounty.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 4, 2016

Jefferson Avenue Bascule Bridge repairs 60% Complete

Wayne County Officials to Visit River Rouge City Council Tuesday, April 5 for project update
DETROIT Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans Administration will visit the River Rouge
City Council Tuesday, April 5 to report 60% of the work to repair the Jefferson Avenue Bascule
Bridge has been completed. The bridge remains on track to reopen in the fall. The meeting will
take place at the River Rouge City Hall, 10600 West Jefferson in River Rouge, beginning at 6:30
p.m.
Improving Wayne Countys roads and bridges took center stage during Executive Evans State of
the County Address last month. He highlighted his Administrations determination to quickly
repair the bridge, calling it an important thoroughfare for the residents and businesses of
Ecorse and River Rouge.
This bridge isnt just a way for vehicles to pass back and forth. Its a vital component to making
Ecorse and River Rouge even more viable places to live, work and do business, said Executive
Evans. I am delighted we are more than halfway to the finish line, but I assure you, the repair
crews will not stop until the job is done, and its done right!
A meeting similar to the one in River Rouge will soon be scheduled in Ecorse. Mayor Michael D.
Bowdler of River Rouge lauded the progress made so far by saying, The citizens of River Rouge
are excited about the daily progress being made on the Jefferson Avenue Bridge. I have nothing
but great things to say about the Evans administration; they came in, took charge and made our
citizens a priority and for that I am truly grateful.
Since October, some of the most important repair milestones achieved includes the following:

Damaged steel has been removed from the bridge and salvageable steel was
sandblasted and repainted.

Engineers have designed and built the structure used to raise and lift the leaf of the
bridge back to its original location.

Engineers have also removed the upper and lower bearings and conducted nondestructive testing on them.

The four motors have been removed for reconditioning.

New control cables have been pulled through conduits under the river to ensure reliable
operations.

Questions about the project can be directed to Tiffani C. Jackson, Public Information Officer,
with Wayne Countys Department of Public services by sending an email to:
Tjackson1@waynecounty.com or by calling (313)-224-7626. The project schedule and other
information about the Jefferson Avenue Bascule Bridge repair project can be found at
http://www.waynecounty.com/dps/index.htm
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