Port Huron City Council received an update Monday regarding the Blue Water Bridge Plaza expansion project. Carrie Warren, Senior Project Manager for the Blue Water Bridge, says the first phases of the project could begin as soon as next year. The project calls for the Pine Grove off-ramp to be relocated further south to make room for a new duty free shop and outbound inspection booths.
“That will be advertised for a low bid opening March of next year,” said Warren. “We expect to see construction occur as soon as April of 2024, certainly by May.”
Of note, plans call for the 10th Avenue intersection with Pine Grove to be reconfigured. The extension of Harker Street between Pine Grove and 10th will be removed, and traffic coming off I-94 will now meet at a right-angled intersection with 10th and Pine Grove Avenues.
“So 10th will effectively tee-in to both the east and the west to Pine Grove, rather than the very skewed intersection that’s just south of the plaza.”
After meeting with neighboring businesses and residents earlier this year, Warren says MDOT has committed to reducing noise and light pollution from the project, and that residents will have a say in what type of barrier wall is constructed.
