Community Corner

Livernois Bridge Reopens in Rochester Hills

It's the first of three milestones in Rochester-area road construction expected to be celebrated this month.

Almost four months after it closed completely to traffic, Livernois Road in Rochester Hills reopened on Monday. 

The opening signaled the completion of the Livernois Bridge over the Clinton River, which was torn apart in July and rebuilt anew all summer long and into the fall. Z Contractors of Shelby Township did the work.

"It's a happy day in Oakland County," said Greg Jamian, vice chairman of the Road Commission for Oakland County.

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Jamian and other city and county dignitaries gathered Monday morning on the bridge for a ribbon-cutting ceremony planned by the Road Commission.

Jamian told a crowd of about 75 that this is the first time since early 2011 that all five lanes of the bridge have been open. 

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The Livernois bridge was found to be in an advanced state of deterioration in February 2011, soon after similar conditions were discovered on the Avon Road bridge at the same intersection. At the time, city officials called the rebuilding of the bridges an "emergency" situation.

Reconstruction of the Avon Bridge began this past February and ended in June. The rebuilding of the Livernois Bridge began in July. 

The Livernois Bridge was first built in 1972; it cost $3.2 million to replace. The state's Local Bridge Program contributed $2.5 million of the cost; the remainder was funded by the Road Commission and the city. 

Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett thanked the residents and business owners who have sacrificed driving time this summer while the bridges were being rebuilt. To celebrate, Barnett read aloud a poem he wrote about the bridge opening.

The Livernois Bridge opening is one of three milestones in Rochester Hills road work expected this month:

  • Crooks Road construction will be finished in about two weeks, said Craig Bryson, spokesman for the Road Commission.
  • Main Street in downtown Rochester will be finished on Nov. 23, according to a news flash sent by the city of Rochester on Monday.


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