TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) expects to shift traffic onto the newly rebuilt lanes of M-72/M-22 in Traverse City and Elmwood Township later this week, marking completion of the next phase of the $25.8 million project.
Crews are expected to finish paving and applying pavement markings to the new lanes on the bay side of the highway as early as this Wednesday.
Once complete, traffic that has been on the inland side of the highway will be shifted to the new pavement and the eastern portion of the new roundabout so work can begin rebuilding the southbound lanes north of the M-72/M-22 intersection. Crews will be working at night following the traffic shift to complete demolition work.
The newly built trail on the bay side will also be open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic. From late June to late October, the TART trail on the west side of M-72/M-22 will be closed from Elmwood Avenue to the Leelanau Trail north of the M-72/M-22 intersection while it is rebuilt. During this time, pedestrians and bicyclists will be directed to the traffic signal at Division Street and the temporary high-intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) signal north of the M-72/M-22 intersection to cross the highway.
Access to businesses and residences will be maintained through construction.
Work on this project to rebuild 2.2 miles of M-72 (Grandview Parkway) from Division Street in Traverse City and M-22 (Bay Shore Drive) to Cherry Bend Road in Elmwood Township is scheduled to be completed by Nov. 15, reopening to traffic in late October.
The 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.
