Independence Bridge in Bay City closed all next week

The Independence Bridge in Bay City will be closed during the day next week. The closure will last from March 24 to March 29, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. No reasons have been provided for the daytime closure. This follows a period where the bridge has been shut down nearly every night for maintenance and testing. The Independence Bridge is one of Bay City’s four drawbridges and is leased by Bay City Bridge Partners, which charges tolls for its use. The recent frequent closures have faced backlash from the community. Some residents have even included the bridge's issues in a class-action lawsuit against the city and the leasing company. BCBP has stated that they expect the bridge to be operational with minimal disruptions. The bridge has had overnight closures since early 2025, raising concerns about possible contract violations.