M-14/US-23 Bridge Over Huron Needs To Be Replaced In Coming Years

Morning, Ann Arbor! Don’t be fooled by last week’s mid-60s, summer weather is making a comeback this week!

Read Time: 3 minutes

Reader Count: 4,062 townies

Percent of Ann Arbor Reading: 3.38%

🚗 Bridge Troubles: MDOT says the 69-year-old M-14/US-23 bridge over the Huron River near Barton Pond is nearing the end of its life and the “proper fix” is a full $150M replacement. While the bridge is still safe now, it’ll be a major infrastructure project in the coming years. For more context and backstory, this 4 minute video news release from MDOT is worth the watch.

📚️ AADL Summer Game: The Ann Arbor District Library’s 2025 Summer Game (a citywide scavenger hunt) had a staggering 17,416 participants and 3,559 lawn signs throughout the city. And if you were wondering what inspired those lawn sign names, AADL has the data:

• Cat-related: 241 signs

• Dog-related: 216 signs

• Book-related: 118 signs

• Tree-related: 47 signs

• Gardener-related: 35 signs

• Dragon-related: 30 signs

• Bird-related: 22 signs

• Panda-related: 19 signs

• Unicorn-related: 18 signs

• Fishermen-related: 18 signs

I think the data speaks for itself - if Ann Arbor was a person, they’d be a cat-person.

📈 Homelessness Report: A new county snapshot shows homelessness up 77% since 2022, with 373 people counted on a single day in January 2025 (350 in shelters and 23 unsheltered). Providers say demand keeps growing (including more seniors and people with disabilities) and warn unsheltered numbers typically climb as weather warms, underscoring the need for more shelter capacity and housing support.

TODAY’S SPONSOR: UMS

🎵 UMS: UMS opens its season with Verdi’s Requiem, a monumental work blending operatic drama and spiritual depth. This Ann Arbor-exclusive performance at Hill Auditorium celebrates UMS's partnership with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the UMS Choral Union. Led by Jader Bignamini, it features a stellar cast of international soloists.

🚻 State Bathroom Debate: Last week the Michigan House passed the Student Restroom Privacy Act. The GOP-led House approved the bill (by a measure of 58-46) which would require K-12 schools and public universities to limit multi-user bathrooms and locker rooms to a student’s sex assigned at birth, as listed on the original birth certificate. With Democrats controlling the Senate, it’s unlikely the bill advances any further.

🔋 Power Down: A new watchdog report claims Michigan has the longest average power outages in the country. With 2023 data, the Citizens Utility Board found Michigan’s average outage lasts around 12 hours (more than double Ohio’s sub-5 hour waiting period). The nonprofit watchdog places a bulk of the blame on DTE and Consumer’s Energy, who service more than 80% of the state.

🏈 Michigan Football Tracker: Week 3

• Current Record: 1-1

• Current Rank: #23 in the country

• Last Saturday: Michigan lost to Oklahoma 24-13

• This Saturday: Michigan plays a noon home game against Central Michigan (1-1). The Wolverines are 30-point favorites.

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That's all for now! Have a great week in Tree Town!

- Andrew

P. P. S. - Broadway Park West officially opens this weekend

P. P. P. S. - Half boat, half car, all Michigan.

P. P. P. P. S. - Thanks to UMS for sponsoring this week’s Michigander.

Interested in advertising in the Michigander? Click here for pricing. Bulk discounting available.