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US-23 Flex Route - Phase 2
Learn more about the US-23 Flex Route Phase 2 Project.
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What is the timeline for the project?
MDOT has received bids for the project during the March 2023 letting. Construction is anticipated to start in the spring 2023. The work will be performed over three construction seasons. The project is scheduled to be fully open to traffic in 2026 depending on weather and other factors.
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How is the project being funded?
The project will be funded with a combination of Rebuilding Michigan and Federal Highway Administration funds.
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What is the speed limit for the Flex Lane, and can it be increased to 70 mph?
The speed limit is 70 mph for the US-23 Flex Route. The speeds shown above the lanes are advisory speeds or “recommended” speeds based on areas of restricted sight distance when the shoulder is being used as a travel lane. The effectiveness of the advisory speed system is being reviewed and MDOT expects to make some improvements in this area over the next few years. However, it is still unknown whether the 60 mph advisory speed will remain in place whenever the shoulder is open to traffic.
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Can the Flex Lane activation be increased along southbound US-23 from 4-6 p.m. south of 8 Mile Road to reduce congestion?
The MDOT Statewide Transportation Operations Center (STOC) monitors traffic continuously throughout the day and opens the Flex Lane when criteria are met. MDOT Safety Service Patrol also monitors the corridor to confirm the Flex Lane is clear and safe to open. The Flex Lane will be open during morning and afternoon peak periods in the peak direction only for southbound from 6-9 a.m. and northbound from 3-7 p.m.
In addition to peak periods, the Flex Lane may be opened if vehicle travel speeds decrease and traffic volumes increase, meeting conditions for a defined duration. Because it takes time to implement safety protocols before opening and closing the Flex Lane, it is not practical to open lanes to address brief intermittent periods of congestion.
There have been several occasions where the southbound Flex Lane has been opened during the afternoon peak period due to congestion. The STOC will continue to monitor the afternoon congestion and will open the southbound direction when it is safe to do so.
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Can additional parking spaces be added to Park and Ride lots to accommodate people who use the nonmotorized path?
Park and Ride lots are not intended to be trailheads for recreational use. Park and Ride lots were sized to meet commuter traffic parking needs.
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Can Winans Lake Road directly connect to the Silver Lake Road roundabout at US-23?
If Winans Lake Road went directly into the Silver Lake Road roundabout, it would increase congestion at the roundabout and reduce safety by adding conflict points between vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. This would also result in impacts to adjacent properties.
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How can pedestrian safety and bicycle access be improved at Lee Road and US-23?
Work on Lee Road is limited and modifications to address pedestrian safety and bicycle access falls outside of the scope of work for this project.
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What improvements are being made to non-motorized pathways?
The proposed path included in the project will be 10 feet wide and will accommodate pedestrians and bicycles.
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Can the nonmotorized path connect Whitmore Lake Road neighborhoods to Fieldcrest Drive?
Multi-use trail access is being provided within the limits of this project and is being designed to allow future projects to connect roads and trails outside of this project’s limits.
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Can access to Legacy Road from the Silver Lake Road roundabout be added?
The west leg of the Silver Lake Road roundabout at Whitmore Lake Road will be a dedicated access point for the Green Oak Township Fire Department and Emergency Response. This precludes any direct connection from Legacy Road to the roundabout.
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How can I receive updates on construction?
Sign up for MDOT news and updates or visit www.Michigan.gov/Drive for lane closure updates.