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M-139 rebuilding, realignment starts April 15 in Benton Harbor, Benton Township
April 09, 2026
Fast facts:
- MDOT is kicking off a two-year, $24.4 million project to rebuild M-139 in Benton Harbor and Benton Township and make M-139 and Fair Avenue two-way streets.
- After construction is completed, Fair Avenue will be operated and maintained by the City of Benton Harbor.
- Work in 2026 will be north of Pipestone Road, with 2027 work occurring from Pipestone Road to north of the St. Joseph River.
COLOMA, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and contractor Kalin Construction Co. Inc. are set to begin rebuilding M-139 on Wednesday, April 15, between I-94 Business Loop (BL) (Main Street) in Benton Harbor to just north of the St. Joseph River in Benton Township. This two-year, $24.4 million investment includes culvert construction and drainage improvements, sidewalk upgrades, signal modernization and municipal utilities.
In 2026, crews will rebuild M-139 north of Pipestone Road, with work expected to be finished in early November. Work will be paused for the winter and then next year work will occur from Pipestone Road to north of the St. Joseph River.
This project will result in M-139 (Martin Luther King Drive and Fair Avenue) becoming two two-way streets north of Empire Avenue and Fair Avenue will be operated and maintained by the City of Benton Harbor. The M-139/East Empire Avenue intersection will be rebuilt as a roundabout.
During work, Martin Luther King Drive will be closed from Empire Avenue to I-94 BL with a detour posted. In July, Martin Luther King Drive will reopen and Fair Avenue will be closed from Schulz Drive to I-94 BL for road rebuilding and culvert reconstruction.
Closure and detour information is available on Mi Drive and updates will be shared ahead of construction phase changes.
Based on economic modeling, this $24.4 million investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 206 jobs.
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