OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (WXYZ) — The Michigan Department of Transportation said phase two of the massive I-75 reconstruction project in Oakland County will begin on Thursday, Feb. 28, with weather permitting.
According to MDOT, segment two involves rebuilding more than eight miles of I-75 between Coolidge Highway and 13 Mile Road, and will shift all traffic to the southbound lanes with two lanes open in each direction.
MDOT said the construction will initially begin after the morning rush hour on the southbound lanes from Adams Road to south of 13 Mile as crews begin preps for the traffic shift. By Friday morning on March 1, around-the-clock lane closures will be in place with southbound traffic using the right shoulder as the travel lane.
During the new configuration, the entrance ramps from Big Beaver and Rochester roads to southbound I-75, as well as the exit to eastbound 14 Mile Road, will be closed for safety purposes.
The $224 million project will involve reconstructing more than eight miles of pavement, improving 18 structures, upgrading drainage, constructing community-developed aesthetics and noise walls, and constructing high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes from Coolidge Highway and 13 Mile Road.
It's expected that by mid March, all traffic will be carried on the southbound side of the freeway, and a temporary concrete barrier will separate the traffic on the southbound side.
Temporary exits will be maintained for northbound traffic at 14 Mile, Rochester Road, Big Beaver Road and Corporate Dr.
The entire I-75 modernization project involves rebuilding approximately 18 miles of pavement, replacing bridges, adding an HOV lane in each direction, and bringing the freeway up to current design standards from north of M-102 (Eight Mile Road) to South Boulevard.
For updates on the project, visit Modernize75.com or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
