Flushing Township's Elms Road Bridge Closed for a $1.8 Million Repair. Then Crews Found More Damage.

By Carrie Thompson, Strategic Marketing Real Estate Agent, eXp Realty, Grand Blanc, MI

The Elms Road bridge over the Flint River in Flushing Township closed July 6, 2026 for a $1.8 million rehabilitation, and in September the Genesee County Road Commission said it could stay closed past its planned end-of-October reopening after crews found more deterioration in the steel beams than expected (WNEM, July 7, 2026) (WNEM, September 8, 2026).

The bridge carries Elms Road across the river and connects to the Pierson Road shopping corridor, according to WNEM (WNEM, September 8, 2026). The road commission's construction list labels the project "Flushing/Mt. Morris" (Genesee County Road Commission).

The road commission planned a July to October repair

The road commission announced that work would begin Monday, July 6, 2026 and was expected to be finished by the end of October. Its detour sends drivers from Flushing Road to Linden Road to Beecher Road, and the reverse (Genesee County Road Commission media release).

WNEM reported that the $1.8 million project covers repairs to the bridge deck, steel beams and expansion joints (WNEM, July 7, 2026).

Kylie Dontje, communications coordinator for the road commission, explained the timing to WNEM. "It's important that we take care of this bridge now," she said. "It was built in 1967, and it still has a lot of the original parts. So, we need to keep up on it so that there isn't a more expensive repair down the road" (WNEM, July 7, 2026).

The detour adds miles and minutes

WNEM reported that the closure forces some residents to add nearly five miles to their daily commutes. Dontje asked drivers to "give about ten minutes additional time to their drive" (WNEM, July 7, 2026).

One regular Elms Road driver told WNEM his new route runs out River Road toward Beecher, then to Linden to reach I-75. He said he still supports the work. "Safety is the most important thing," he said. "It's probably a lot of money they're spending on it. But, that's a big bridge and it goes over the river. So, it's important that it's safe" (WNEM, July 7, 2026).

Sandblasting exposed cracks that let water reach the beams

By early September the schedule was in question. Dontje told WNEM that "once the contractor got in there, started cleaning off the steel beams, there was some additional deterioration." She described the problem: "There were some cracks in the joints that were allowing the water to seep through and deteriorating those beams further than what was anticipated" (WNEM, September 8, 2026).

WNEM reported that the bridge had minor deck repairs at the joints in 2022, and that the hidden damage only showed up once sandblasting exposed the steel (WNEM, September 8, 2026).

The fix could be much bigger than the original plan. "That might mean a superstructure replacement where we replace all the steel beams," Dontje said (WNEM, September 8, 2026). "That is one option," she added. No decision had been announced.

Because the project is federally funded, the money comes through the Michigan Department of Transportation, and Dontje said the road commission is working with MDOT to determine what needs to be fixed, how much it will cost, and whether the closure will be extended. WNEM reported on September 8 that there was no word yet on whether the reopening date would be pushed back, and that the road commission is expected to have more information within the next month (WNEM, September 8, 2026). The road commission's construction list shows the project dates as "July 6 - TBD" (Genesee County Road Commission).

A small business near the bridge feels the closure

ZD's Corner, a drink shop in Flushing, is one business feeling the closure. The owner told WNEM the shop sells "smoothies, slushies, teas, coffees, pretty much anything drinkable." WNEM reported that the detour adds an extra 10 to 15 minutes to what used to be a quick trip down the street (WNEM, September 8, 2026).

"Sales have definitely decreased since a lot of the customers see it as inconvenient to come see us now," the owner said. "We understand the safety and it needs to be repaired, but it is a little bit difficult for everybody to adjust to a long term" (WNEM, September 8, 2026).

Dontje acknowledged the strain. "I understand that construction can be an inconvenience for a lot of people, but we really want to make sure that everybody who drives over that bridge is going to be safe," she said (WNEM, September 8, 2026).

Questions about the project go to Gerrad Godley, construction manager for the road commission, at 810-767-4920 ext. 236 (Genesee County Road Commission media release).

What this means if you are buying or selling near Elms Road

A bridge closure changes how a house lives day to day, even when the house itself is fine. If you are buying in Flushing Township on either side of the river, drive the detour at the hours you would actually commute and time it yourself, and check the road commission's construction page for the current reopening date before you make plans around it. If you are selling near Elms Road while it is closed, give buyers the official detour and the road commission's posted timeline up front so the closure is a known fact and not a surprise at the showing.

Every listing I take gets professional photos and video, room sizes, targeted digital ads, and targeted buyer avatars. Call or text Carrie Thompson at (810) 893-3269.

About Carrie Thompson

Carrie Thompson, "Your Favorite Property Girl," is a Strategic Marketing Real Estate Agent (REALTOR®) with eXp Realty serving Grand Blanc, Genesee County and nearby Michigan communities, including Flushing, Flint Township, Clio, Montrose, and Swartz Creek. Michigan license 6501338662. Call or text (810) 893-3269.