Latest news with #RebuildingMichigan
Axios
28-02-2025
- Automotive
- Axios
Metro Detroit commuters face lengthy I-696 closure
Commuters beware: Prolonged traffic pain around I-696 starts Monday. Why it matters: The closure of 10 miles of I-696's eastbound lanes will force about 100,000 drivers daily to take a lengthy detour for the next two years, according to MDOT. The latest: Work was supposed to start Saturday. But weather complications have delayed construction crews until 9am on Monday. Zoom in: The closure stretches from the Lodge Freeway in Southfield to I-75 near Hazel Park. Drivers must take an approximately 25-mile detour from the Lodge to the Davison Freeway to northbound I-75, which connects back to I-696. Eastbound lanes are expected to be fully closed by Monday afternoon. Yes, but: Westbound traffic will be maintained during construction on the eastbound lanes, which is expected to last about a year. Rebuilding the westbound lanes after that will take another year. What they're saying: Traffic congestion is expected to peak during the next few weeks as drivers figure out their most efficient alternative routes, MDOT spokesperson Diane Cross tells Axios. Many drivers are expected to use east-west Mile roads such as 12 Mile and 14 Mile to get around, she says. Zoom out: The closure is the last phase of MDOT's Restore the Reuther Project, which dates to 2018 and will rebuild all 28 miles of I-696 from I-94 to I-275, per Crain's. The project's total cost is about $530 million. In addition to the highway, 60 bridges will be repaired in the work zone over the next two years. The big picture: The project is tied to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's Rebuilding Michigan program to improve the most-traveled state highways and bridges that are key to the state's economy. What we're watching: How much rush-hour congestion trickles from I-696 onto city streets in suburbs like Royal Oak and Southfield. The bottom line: Ramps to Lahser, Evergreen, Southfield, Greenfield, Coolidge, Woodward and Campbell/Hilton will be closed during construction.
CBS News
21-02-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
I-75 in northern Oakland County limited to two lanes each direction, starting in March
Bridge work and resurfacing is scheduled to resume in early March along Interstate 75 in northern Oakland County, the Michigan Department of Transportation reported. This is part of a four-year project involving resurfacing, repairs to 11 bridges, culvert replacements, sign and guardrail work on that section of I-75. The work for this year is mill and resurface on the southbound side of I-75, starting from M-15 (Ortonville Road) in the Clarkston area and going to the Oakland/Genesee county line. During this time, traffic will be limited to two lanes in each direction, sharing the northbound side of the freeway. Bridge repairs also will take place on the southbound side. Road construction last year in that area had shifted traffic into two lanes each direction, traveling on the southbound side. This year's construction will wrap up in late fall. The 2026 work involves removing temporary crossovers and related wrapup tasks. The overall investment is about $160 million, MDOT said. Economic modeling suggests the road work will directly or indirectly support 1,936 jobs. Funding for this project is supported by the Rebuilding Michigan program, a campaign intended to rebuild state highways and bridges that are critical to the state's economy and / or carry the most traffic.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Gov. Whitmer introduces ‘Mi Road Ahead' plan to fix roads
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proposed a 'comprehensive and long-term plan' to fix roads across Michigan. The reports that the $3 billion plan, introduced Monday, includes money to help communities fix roads, boost transit, improve road safety and reduce the cost of vehicle repairs for Michigan drivers. The State says with the help of the Rebuilding Michigan plan, more than 23,000 miles of roads and 1,600 bridges have been fixed since Jan. 2020. According to the (TAMC), more of Michigan's roads are now in good or fair condition compared to reports from 2020. 'Today, I'm excited to introduce my brand-new plan that provides a long-term, sustainable solution to fix our roads so we can help more Michiganders stay safe on the road, save money, and get where they're going faster,' said Gov. Whitmer in a news release sent to 6 News. The plan will allocate more than $1 billion in new, ongoing investments for communities to fix neighborhood roads. 'We rely on Michigan's roads to live our lives—to get to work on time, get our kids to school safely, and help our businesses thrive. That is why we've been working since day one to fix our roads and bridges, save drivers money, and improve Michigan's infrastructure,' said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II in a news release sent to 6 News. Key elements of 'Mi Road Ahead' according to the State: Ensure every dollar at the pump will fix roads: Michigan drivers pay a federal and state gas tax plus a 6% state sales tax on each gallon of gas. 25% of those funds are currently being diverted from fixing roads. The new plan will, 'close the gap by ensuring that every penny drivers pay at the pump goes toward Michigan infrastructure.' This will reportedly add $1.2 billion toward roads, bridges and transit infrastructure. Require corporations pay their fair share: The plan will ask massive corporations and Big Tech industries, such as Amazon, X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and TikTok to pay, 'their fair share,' to do business in Michigan and to use the roadways. The State says that 'laws have not been updated to account for Big Tech industries that profit tremendously from using Michigan's infrastructure.' This will reportedly raise $1.7 billion in additional revenue to fix the roads without putting the cost on Michiganders. Cutting red tape and finding efficiencies and savings: The plan will include, 'fiscally responsible cuts as part of a long-term solution to fix the damn roads.' The plan will cut costs, adding up to $500 million for additional road and bridge repair funding. Close marijuana loophole: The plan will close a loophole that exempted the marijuana industry from wholesale tax, which is applied to similar smoking products, like cigarettes and other tobacco items. Boost and Build Transit Across Michigan: The plan will allocate $250 million to invest in local bus service and build new transit projects across the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
