TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - M-72 will be closed just west of the M-22 intersection in Elmwood Township for approximately four weeks beginning in mid- to late January 2025 as utility companies DTE and Traverse City Light & Power have their underground utilities relocated beneath the roadway. The utilities’ contractor, Team Elmers, will perform the work under a permit from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). During the closure, M-72 traffic will be detoured on county roads and city streets.
The work is being done in preparation for MDOT’ project to rebuild M-72 and M-22 from west of Division Street to Cherry Bend Road, which includes a new roundabout at the M-72/M-22 intersection, currently scheduled to begin in mid-April 2025.
Counties:
Grand Traverse and Leelanau
Highway:
M-72
Closest communities:
Elmwood Township and Traverse City
Start date:
Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 (weather and approval permitting)
Estimated end date:
Monday, Feb. 10, 2025
Traffic restrictions:
During this work, M-72 will be closed from the M-72/M-22 intersection in Elmwood Township to just east of Incochee Woods Drive. M-72 will be closed to through-traffic from Gray Road to Incochee Woods Drive.
M-22 will remain open between US-31/M-37 (Division Street) and Cherry Bend Road.
Due to the closure, M-72 and M-22 traffic is currently expected to be detoured as follows:
- Westbound M-72 traffic will be detoured on US-31/M-37 (Division Street), West Front Street, Cedar Run Road, and Gray Road to M-72. A temporary traffic signal will be installed at the Cedar Run Road/Gray Road intersection.
- Eastbound M-72 traffic will be detoured on Tilton Road, Cedar Run Road, West Front Street, and US-31/M-37 (Division Street) to M-72. A temporary traffic signal will be installed at the Cedar Run Road/Gray Road intersection.
- Eastbound M-72 traffic to northbound M-22 will be detoured on South Bugai Road and Cherry Bend Road to M-22.
- Southbound M-22 traffic to westbound M-72 will be detoured on Cherry Bend Road and South Bugai Road to M-72.
- Eastbound M-72 truck traffic to northbound M-22, and southbound M-22 truck traffic to westbound M-72, will be detoured on South Richter Road, East Eckerle Road, South Center Highway, East Bingham Road, and South Lake Leelanau Drive/South Bugai Road (County Road 641).
Additional closures will include:
- Bay Street will be closed from M-72 to US-31/M-37 (Division Street), and also at the intersections with Ramsdell Road, Monroe Street, Elmwood Avenue, Spruce Street, Cedar Street, and Wayne Street. Ramsdell Road, Monroe Street, and Madison Street will be closed to through-traffic.
- East Carter Road will be closed to through-traffic from M-72 to M-22.
- Barney Road will be closed to through-traffic from Gray Road to Cedar Run Road, and Harris Road will be closed to through-traffic from Cedar Run Road to Barney Road.
- East Lincoln Road will be closed to through-traffic from Bugai Road to Cherry Bend Road.
The utility companies and contractor are developing plans for pedestrian and bicycle detours during the work for any needed closures.
Background:
MDOT plans to rebuild a 2.2-mile section of M-72 (Grandview Parkway) from Division Street in Traverse City and M-22 (Bay Shore Drive) to Cherry Bend Road in Elmwood Township in 2025. The $25.8 million project includes removing the concrete and composite (asphalt over concrete) pavements and restoring the surface condition and ride quality to good condition; drainage improvements, including curb and gutter, storm sewer, and culverts; replacing sidewalks and nonmotorized paths; improvements for local transit buses; upgrading sidewalk ramps to Americans with Disabilities Act standards; building a roundabout at the M-72/M-22 intersection that incorporates the Bay Street intersection; Cherry Bend Road traffic signal upgrades; and improving driveway access management where possible.
Safety benefits:
These road closures will provide the safest work environment for utility crews.
The planned project on M-72 and M-22 will provide a smoother, safer ride, while the drainage improvements will ensure the integrity of the roadway. The upgraded sidewalk ramps will provide accessibility for all sidewalk users and the planned roundabout will improve traffic efficiency and enhance safety by reducing conflict points. Learn more about roundabouts and why MDOT installs them at
www.Michigan.gov/Roundabouts.
