Motorists traveling on I-96 and roads throughout the Brighton area should plan on encountering more backups and delays.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is in the process of removing the damaged portion of the Pleasant Valley Road overpass across eastbound I-96. The bridge was damaged yesterday in a crash involving a flatbed semi hauling several boom lifts. M-DOT engineers determined that the structure over eastbound I-96 must be removed before those lanes can safely reopen. Accordingly, all lanes of eastbound I-96, just east of US-23, will remain closed until demolition and clean-up is complete, which is expected tomorrow morning.

M-DOT Spokeswoman Kari Arend tells WHMI crews were busy setting up traffic controls, orange barrels and message boards to help motorists get around prior to demolition work that started this afternoon – which requires shutting down all lanes on eastbound I-96, just past US-23, and two lanes on westbound I-96. Again, Arend says they're striving to have all lanes of east and westbound I-96 open by 5am.

A detour directs motorists to Spencer Road, Old US-23, and Grand River Avenue. There is also a double lane closure on westbound I-96, east of Pleasant Valley Road. M-DOT photo.(JM)