April 29, 2005 --The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will resume work on the widening of I-75 between the M-57 (Vienna Road) and Birch Run Creek on Monday, May 2.
"We understand the importance of industry and tourism in Michigan," said Bay Region Engineer Terry Anderson. "That's why we're anxious to complete the rebuilding of I-75 in Genesee and Saginaw counties."
This project began last year and is expected to be completed in October 2005. The work on I-75, between the M-57 (Vienna Road) and Birch Run Creek (north of Birch Run), includes reconstructing I-75 with drainage and safety improvements. Southbound I-75 was reconstructed last year. This year, traffic will be switched to the southbound lanes while the northbound freeway is reconstructed.
This week, three lanes of traffic will be maintained on southbound I-75 with a traffic switch to the outside lanes. This will be to prepare the median lanes of the freeway for northbound traffic, including placement of the moveable median wall and pavement markings. Northbound I-75 will be reduced to two lanes while the median lanes are closed to prepare for the traffic switch. Also, the entrance ramp from westbound M-57 (Vienna Road) to southbound I-75 will be closed starting Monday, May 2.
Northbound I-75 traffic is scheduled to be switched to the southbound lanes on Friday, May 13, weather permitting. Northbound I-75 traffic will cross over to southbound I-75, separated by a temporary median. The road will have three lanes of northbound traffic and two lanes southbound traffic on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. On Sundays through Wednesdays, there will be three lanes of southbound traffic and two lanes of northbound traffic.
Lanes will be narrower through the construction area, and speed limits will be reduced. Motorists should plan extra time to drive through this area.
"We know that this will slow traffic during construction," said Bob Ranck Jr., manager of MDOT's Transportation Service Center in Bay City. "So we're asking motorists to please allow extra time to reach their destinations."
This $31 million project is expected to extend the life of the road and its bridges by 20 to 25 years. It continues a commitment by MDOT and the Granholm administration to create jobs, improve quality of life and provide the highest quality transportation services for Michigan residents and businesses.
MDOT: Celebrating 100 years of transportation innovation, 1905-2005
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