North Michigan News

State Representative Cam Cavitt has intensified his call for state funding to repair the Orchard Beach Bridge in Cheboygan County. The Michigan Department of Transportation has classified the bridge over the Black River as “basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action.”

“To call the bridge a ticking time bomb would be an understatement,” stated Cavitt, R-Cheboygan. He emphasized the importance of keeping the bridge operational due to its role in local transportation, expressing concern about potential injuries if it were to fail.

In January, Cheboygan County officials warned that the bridge was at risk of imminent collapse. According to Cavitt, conditions have since deteriorated.

“One of the most difficult aspects to the situation is the bridge can’t just be shut down until we secure funding for repairs – it’s remained open this long for a reason,” Cavitt explained. Closing it would result in a 16-mile detour affecting first responders and local traffic, adding complexity to public safety concerns.

The estimated cost for replacing the bridge, constructed in 1976, is $8.2 million. Despite several attempts by Cavitt during state budget discussions, funding requests were denied by the Democrat majority. Additionally, recent federal allocations did not include support for this project.

“I’m not sure how many different ways our community can say ‘this bridge is going to collapse,’ until the state decides to listen,” said Cavitt. Along with Senator Damoose and other local leaders, he continues efforts to highlight the urgency of addressing this infrastructure issue before potential disaster strikes.