OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (WXYZ) — After a week of delays, the Michigan Department of Transportation said phase two of the massive I-75 reconstruction project in Oakland County will begin on Saturday, March 9, weather permitting.
According to MDOT, segment two involves rebuilding more than eight miles of I-75 between Coolidge Highway and 13 Mile Road.
On Saturday and Sunday, southbound I-75 will be down to one lane from Adams Road to 13 Mile Road.
Two lanes will be open in each direction on Monday on southbound I-75 from Adams to 13 Mile Road.
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.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story stated that the construction would begin Friday, March 8 at night. MDOT has pushed that time back to Saturday, March 9, adding that the reason is because it's safer for motorists and workers to start the process in daylight.
