Fast facts:
- A $66 million investment to rebuild I-196 resumes in southeast Ottawa County.
- This two-year project is expected to be finished this November.
- This project is part of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan program.
OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Transportation resumes its $66 million investment to rebuild 7 miles of I-196 from Byron Road in Zeeland to 32nd Avenue in Hudsonville. Work also includes culvert replacement, sewer and drainage improvements, and bridge work. Last year, the westbound lanes of I-196 were rebuilt, and now crews will reconstruct the eastbound lanes.
The majority of the funding for this project is made possible by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's Rebuilding Michigan program to rebuild the state highways and bridges that are critical to the state's economy and carry the most traffic. The investment strategy is aimed at fixes that result in longer useful lives and improves the condition of the state's infrastructure. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 799 jobs.
Lane closures will be in effect this week to shift eastbound I-196 traffic to the westbound side of the roadway. One lane of eastbound and two lanes of westbound I-196 will share the westbound side, separated by a concrete barrier wall, through the end of the project. On April 10, the two on ramps from I-196 Business Loop/Byron Road to eastbound I-196 will close and the off ramp from eastbound I-196 to Byron Road will also close. These ramp closures will be in effect through September.
This stretch of I-196 averages approximately 55,000 vehicles a day, so motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes and allow more time for their travels.
For up-to-date traffic information on this project and others throughout the state, go to www.Michigan.gov/Drive.
