September 15, 2008 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is nearing the completion of a three-year, $68 million project to widen and reconstruct I-94 from west of US-131 to east of Oakland Drive in Kalamazoo County, including the reconstruction of the US-131/I-94 interchange.
To celebrate, on Tuesday, Sept. 30, MDOT will offer participants a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the I-94 widening project from atop the new bridges at the US-131/I-94 interchange. Additionally, walkers and runners will get the opportunity to tour the project's roads, ramps and bridges before they are opened to traffic.
At 9 a.m., a short dedication presentation will be made, after which a fun run/walk will commence. Walkers and runners will follow a "wild" one-mile course that starts on the new ramp bridges over US-131, heads east on the new ramp to eastbound I-94, and loops back west on the new eastbound I-94 lanes to the finish line located within the I-94/US-131 interchange.
"We're very excited that this project is nearing completion," said Pete Pfeiffer, manager of MDOT's Transportation Service Center in Kalamazoo. "The 'Wild Mile' Fun Run/Walk is our way of thanking motorists and residents for their patience - by offering them a rare, up-front and personal view of the entire project. It is a sight one doesn't soon forget."
To get to the parking area for this event, take northbound US-131 to the closed eastbound I-94 ramp. A MDOT vehicle will be stationed at the entrance of the closed ramp to further direct you. Additional MDOT staff also will be on hand to guide you through the project toward the parking area. The parking will be located on the ramp from northbound US-131 to eastbound I-94 ramp. Upon completion of the event, all vehicles must exit the area via eastbound I-94 near Oakland Drive. Please drive with caution.
MDOT anticipates work on the project to be completed by late November. Currently, the following ramps are closed; all will reopen in November:
-Northbound US-131 to westbound I-94
-Eastbound I-94 to northbound US-131
-Westbound I-94 to southbound US-131
-Southbound US-131 to eastbound I-94
-Northbound US-131 to eastbound I-94
-Eastbound I-94 to southbound US-131
-The ramp from Oakland Drive to westbound I-94 has one lane open.
Protect Michigan families: Where Workers Present Drive 45! -A message from MDOT and Michigan's Give 'em a Brake Safety Coalition
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