The Ionia County Sheriff’s Office is advising motorist to avoid the area of M-21 east of Muir at the Maple River Bridge in Ionia County.

On Wednesday, Feb. 21 at approximately 7 p.m., the water level in the river began pushing against the deck of the bridge. As a safety precaution the Ionia County Road Commission has closed the bridge until the water recedes.

The Road Commission is asking all class A traffic (commercial trucks and buses) that are eastbound M-21 to travel southbound M-66 to eastbound I-96 to Grange Road exit, North on Grange Road back to M-21.

All westbound M-21 traffic can follow southbound Grange Road to westbound I-96 to northbound M-66 to M-21.

Private passenger vehicles are also encouraged to follow the above listed route due to rapidly changing conditions causing flooding on secondary roads that is leading to short notice road closures.