More Road Construction With Major Projects Underway In Michigan
This week in Michigan, over 130 road and bridge projects are scheduled for construction, which will cause lane closures throughout the state. From Monday to Friday, June 12-16, various areas will experience traffic disruptions due to projects like M-50 in Jackson, I-94 in Kalamazoo, I-375 in Detroit, and U.S. 31 in Manistee County.
To stay informed and plan your travel accordingly, check out the complete list of road construction projects in Michigan. You can find the full list here.
Take a look at some of the projects happening throughout Michigan this week below.
Downtown Detroit
Ongoing road construction near Ford Field in downtown Detroit will contribute to some congestion.
Beginning today, a single-lane closure will be in effect on both sides of I-375, spanning between Madison and M-3. This closure is anticipated to persist until the end of the month.
Also starting today, the ramps to I-375 from I-75 and Madison will be closed. Additionally, intermittent lane closures on Gratiot Avenue, stretching from downtown towards the east until I-94, can be expected.
M-50 in Jackson County
Construction will begin today on M-50 in Jackson County and continue until August 18. The specific section to be resurfaced spans from Valley Farm Road to Lincoln Road in Jackson.
Throughout the duration of the project, traffic regulators will be employed to ensure the maintenance of one lane. Authorities have stated that the project will not only result in smoother road surfaces but also contribute to safer and improved shoulders.
I-75 in Genesee County
Overnight tonight, workers have scheduled a closure of the left two lanes on I-75, spanning from I-475 to U.S. 23. This project is anticipated to be brief, as the lanes are expected to reopen by 7 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
M-227 in Calhoun County
On Monday, construction activities will start on M-227, also known as 17 Mile Road, in Calhoun County. The focus will be on repaving a 2.7-mile stretch of road spanning from Woolley Drive to F Drive South in Fredonia Township.
This project, estimated to cost approximately $631,000, is slated to wrap up on August 31. Throughout this period, drivers should anticipate lane closures and the presence of traffic regulators in the affected area.
I-94 in Kalamazoo County
Starting today, a section of I-94 BL will be fully closed in both directions from M-96 to Olmstead Road, and this closure is expected to last for approximately two weeks.
To navigate the closure, drivers will be redirected via River Street and M-96 (Kings Highway).
Near this area, I-94 will also maintain the closure of its left lane from Westnedge Avenue to Portage Road and Sprinkle Road to Lovers Lane. Construction work on I-94 in this region will persist until late July.
U.S. 31 in Manistee County
On Thursday, June 15, the U.S. 31 bascule bridge over the Manistee River will undergo construction work.
This $12.6-million project encompasses a range of repairs and upgrades to the bridge. These include replacing sections of the bridge deck, enhancements to the mechanical and electrical systems, improvements to the bridge approaches, and repairs and painting of the structural steel.
Lane closures and traffic shifts are expected to start on Thursday, with additional traffic restrictions scheduled to be implemented starting in July.
U.P. construction
Today, a northbound lane on I-75 in Mackinac County will be closed as part of the efforts to repair damage on the Charles Moran Road bridge.
The damage to the bridge resulted from a high load hit, and the repair costs are estimated at approximately $61,000. The closure is expected to remain in effect until Friday, June 30. A lane width restriction of 11 feet will be imposed during this period.
Simultaneously, starting on Monday, the resurfacing of a seven-mile stretch of M-123 in Luce County will begin. The project, with a cost of around $1.3 million, will span from north of Murphy Creek to County Road 500.
To accommodate the construction work, one lane of alternating traffic will be utilized throughout the project, which is projected to be completed around August 18. Similarly, a lane width restriction of 11 feet will be enforced during this project.
Revamped: Michigan's New Distracted Driving Law Starts June 30
House Bill 4250
House Bill 4250 is here to modernize Michigan’s distracted driving laws. The law only covers texting while driving, but this bill takes it up a notch. It includes watching or recording videos, scrolling through social media, and more. But don’t worry, if you need to use your phone, the new law allows you to use voice-operated or hands-free technology. There’s also an interesting twist: if you’re repeatedly caught with three or more civil infractions in three years, the court can make you take a basic driver improvement course. The fines for these infractions are getting an update too.
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House Bill 4251
House Bill 4251 is all about ensuring reckless drivers face the consequences for putting everyone’s safety at risk. It covers commercial vehicles, driving record points, and driver improvement courses, holding those responsible accountable.
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House Bill 4252
House Bill 4252 is all about keeping tabs on the new law’s effectiveness. It requires the Michigan State Police (MSP) to submit a progress report after 3.5 years to see how things are going. By the way, Ohio jumped on the hands-free law train too. According to the Governor’s Office, In just one month, they saw a nine percent drop in distracted driving. That means over 500 crashes were prevented.
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