MDOT's Fix on I-196 You Tube video shows glimpse of the future
Contact:
John Richard, MDOT Office of Communications, 616-451-4063
Agency:
Transportation
January 25, 2010 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is using You Tube to show the public what a reconstructed I-196 (Gerald R. Ford Freeway) will look like. The video is playing on the MDOT You Tube channel at www.youtube.com/MichiganDOT.
MDOT plans to rebuild I-196 from the Grand River to Fuller Avenue, marking the first reconstruction of this major corridor since it originally opened in 1964. This $40 million investment is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
"Strong regional partnerships and federal stimulus funding have enabled this project to move forward," said MDOT Region Engineer Roger Safford. "This new entrance into downtown will create and sustain many jobs while providing increased safety and mobility to motorists and pedestrians."
Work on the project includes adding a third through-lane in each direction, as well as weave/merge lanes between the Ottawa and College avenue interchanges and the College and Fuller avenue interchanges. Pedestrian enhancements also will be included on the bridges across I-196.
To expedite the work, I-196 will be closed to through-traffic on April 12. However, downtown access will be maintained throughout the project via Fuller and College avenues for westbound I-196, and Ottawa and College avenues for eastbound I-196. Two lanes of I-196 will be open in each direction by late August with all lanes open by November. The total project completion date is set for August 2011.
The alternate routes needed during the major work were enhanced this past fall with pavement repairs on I-196 from Fuller Avenue to I-96, resurfacing and widening of the westbound I-196 off ramp to Fuller Avenue, and modifications on Ottawa Avenue at the I-196 interchange. The Coit, Eastern and Diamond avenue bridges will be replaced and aesthetically enhanced, as will the eastbound and westbound I-196 bridges over Lafayette Avenue.
"We've worked closely with the city of Grand Rapids, the downtown business community and the local residents," said MDOT Grand Rapids TSC Manager Erick Kind. "This is a welcomed and much needed improvement to our infrastructure."
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