US-131 lane closures extended near Grand Rapids after bridge-deck pothole
Lane closures on northbound US-131 north of Grand Rapids have been extended while crews repair a large bridge-deck pothole in Plainfield Township.
According to WOOD-TV8, the work is on the northbound lanes of US-131 over West River Drive. The Michigan Department of Transportation said the defect is technically a spall because it formed on a bridge deck.
The repair work is now expected to continue through June 23. It was initially expected to be completed by June 16.
The right through-lane of northbound US-131 will remain closed. A section of the ramp lane from I-96 to West River Drive will also remain closed during the repair work.
WOOD-TV8 reported that all ramps are scheduled to remain open. Drivers will still be able to travel north on US-131 in a single lane, and the West River Drive exit is expected to remain open.
The northbound bridge deck was already scheduled to be replaced next year. The southbound bridge deck is scheduled for replacement in 2028.
No crash or injuries were reported in WOOD-TV8's update.
Why road defects matter for Michigan drivers
Most pothole and road-repair stories are traffic stories first. They tell drivers where delays are expected and how long a lane restriction may last.
But road defects can also become legal issues when they contribute to a crash or injury. A bridge-deck spall, pothole, shoulder drop-off, missing warning sign or sudden lane change can affect how drivers brake, merge, avoid debris or react to traffic around them.
When someone is injured because of a road condition in Michigan, the legal analysis is usually fact-specific. Governmental immunity may protect a road authority in many situations, but Michigan law includes limited exceptions for certain highway defects. Those claims can involve short notice deadlines, proof of the defect, proof of who controlled the road and evidence that the responsible agency knew or should have known about the problem.
That does not mean every pothole or lane closure creates a claim. It means serious injury cases involving road defects should be reviewed quickly before photos, repair records, witness accounts, dash camera footage and traffic-control evidence disappear.
What drivers should do after a road-condition crash
If a crash happens near a construction zone, lane closure, pothole or bridge-deck problem, document the scene if it is safe to do so. Photos of the roadway, traffic-control devices, lane markings, vehicle damage and nearby signs may matter later.
Drivers should also report the crash, get medical care if needed and keep records of repair estimates, towing, medical bills and insurance communications.
If injuries are involved, do not assume the case is only about the other driver. A full review may need to consider no-fault benefits, a possible claim against an at-fault driver, roadway maintenance records, construction-zone setup and any applicable notice requirement.
Michigan Legal Center helps people injured in Michigan crashes, including cases involving dangerous road conditions, construction zones, no-fault benefits and serious injury claims.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a Michigan crash, call Michigan Legal Center at (248) 886-8650 or contact us for a free consultation.
There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. Case costs and fee terms are governed by the written fee agreement.