OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (WXYZ) — Drivers who are already dealing with major headaches along I-75 should prepare to deal with even more as segment three of the I-75 Modernization project is now under way.
According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, segment three involves rebuilding more than five miles of I-75 between 8 Mile and 13 Mile, and prep work will begin this year before the full construction begins next year.
The construction is weather permitting, and the initial impacts will be on the southbound I-75 lanes from 11 Mile to 8 Mile roads.
On Sunday, the right lane of southbound I-75 closed from 13 Mile to 8 Mile in order for crews to widen the shoulder for a traffic shift.
In addition to the closure, the westbound I-696 ramp to southbound I-75 will close, the southbound I-75 exits to 8 Mile and 9 Mile will close and 9 Mile entrance ramp to southbound I-75 will close.
Other work in 2019 includes constructing temporary median crossovers, the removal of the Dallas Rd. overpass above I-75 and work on the northbound service drive.
Next year, all I-75 traffic will move to the southbound side of the freeway from 11 Mile to 8 Mile with two lanes open in each direction, allowing for the rebuilding of the northbound lanes from 8 Mile to I-696.
"Based on the complexity and the volume of work, segment 3 will be constructed in phases," said Metro Region Engineer Kimberly Avery. "Starting in spring 2020, each phase will be constructed in one year, with winter shutdowns, until fall 2023."
Phase two of the project is ongoing from just north of 13 Mile to Coolidge Highway. For more information, visit modernize75.com.
A detailed list of construction activity for 2019 and 2020 is below.
2019 Work
Road Construction
- Northbound I-75 from north of 13 Mile Road to north of Coolidge Highway
- 14 Mile Road ramps to and from northbound I-75
- Rochester Road ramps to and from northbound I-75
- Big Beaver Road ramps to and from northbound I-75
- Corporate Drive ramps to and from northbound I-75
Bridge Construction
- Northbound I-75 bridge over 14 Mile Road
- Northbound I-75 bridge over Maple Road
- Northbound I-75 bridge over Rochester Road
- Northbound I-75 bridge over Livernois Road
- Northbound I-75 bridge over Big Beaver Road
- Wattles Road bridge over I-75
- Northbound I-75 bridge over Long Lake Road
- Corporate Drive bridge over I-75
- Northbound I-75 bridge over Coolidge Highway
2020 Work
Road Construction
- Southbound I-75 from north of 13 Mile Road to north of Coolidge Highway
- 14 Mile Road ramps to and from southbound I-75
- Rochester Road ramps to and from southbound I-75
- Big Beaver Road ramps to and from southbound I-75
- Corporate Drive ramps to and from southbound I-75
Bridge Construction
- Southbound I-75 bridge over 14 Mile Road
- Southbound I-75 bridge over Maple Road
- Southbound I-75 bridge over Rochester Road
- Southbound I-75 bridge over Livernois Road
- Southbound I-75 bridge over Big Beaver Road
- Southbound I-75 bridge over Long Lake Road
- Crooks Road bridge over I-75 rehabilitation
- Southbound I-75 bridge over Coolidge Highway
