The Pontiac City Council on Oct. 21 awarded contracts to demolish and rebuild the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard bridge and approved associated construction‑engineering services.

Mayor Tim Grama and Public Works Director Larry Searls said inspections showed advanced deterioration in the structure and that closing the bridge earlier this year had been necessary on public‑safety grounds. The council approved a demolition and construction contract with Z Contractors, Inc., and a construction engineering services agreement with Fishbeck (not-to-exceed $1,475,405). Council members and staff credited state and federal appropriations — a $10 million state allocation and more than $4 million in federal funding — that together underwrite the project.

Searls said demolition will be coordinated with the railroad that runs beneath the bridge and that the project spans multiple construction seasons; initial work is expected to begin within weeks of contract execution and the full project is likely to take more than a single construction season. Council members asked about contingency monitoring; the administration said the grants and contingencies will be tracked and staff will return to council if costs approach contingency limits.

Council members emphasized the project’s long-term public-safety purpose after years of deferred maintenance and said they will communicate construction schedules to nearby residents.