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M-55 rebuilding in West Branch resumes April 1

GAYLORD, Mich. - On April 1, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) plans to resume work on its $14.3 million project to rebuild 1.4 miles of M-55/I-75 Business Loop (BL) from west of M-30 to east of Fairview Street in the city of West Branch. The project includes reconfiguring the four- and five-lane sections of the roadway to three lanes, installing new curbs, gutter, and sidewalk ramps, installing new watermain and storm sewer lines, building a new shared-use path, and installing new signs and traffic signals.

The project began in August 2023 with work on M-55 between Margaret Street and M-30, as well as detour route paving and underground utility replacement, before pausing for the winter. More information is available on the M-55 Improvements Project website.

 

County:
Ogemaw

Highway:
M-55

Closest city:
West Branch

Start date:
Monday, April 1, 2024

Estimated end date:
Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024

Traffic restrictions:
Drivers should expect lane closures with temporary traffic signals, and detours on city streets. Non-local truck through-traffic will be detoured via I-75 and I-75 BL during construction.

Jobs numbers:
Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 203 jobs.

Safety benefit:
This project includes a lane reconfiguration, or road diet, which can help calm traffic, provide left-turning vehicles their own lane, provide wider shoulders, and improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. Additionally, this work includes new signs, pavement markings, and traffic signals.

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