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I-75/M-32 diverging diamond interchange project in Gaylord starts Sept. 8 with prep work

GAYLORD, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin work this fall in preparation for construction in 2027 and 2028 of the new diverging diamond interchange (DDI) at I-75/M-32 in Gaylord. This fall’s work will include:

  • Building directional crossovers on I-75 north and south of the interchange.
  • Installing foundations for a new traffic signal at M-32/South Townline Road.
  • Building sidewalk on both sides of M-32 from South Townline Road to Meecher Road.
  • Installing sheet piling at the interchange in preparation for bridge demolition and construction in 2027.
  • Installing underground electrical from Murner Road to Meecher Road.
  • Resurfacing Milbocker Road from Plywood Road to Dickerson Road.
  • Repaving McCoy Road from Dickerson Road to the I-75 Business Loop (BL) (South Otsego Avenue).
  • Upgrading sidewalk ramps on Milbocker Road and McCoy Road.

County:
Otsego

Highways:
I-75
M-32

Closest community:
Gaylord

Start date:
Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026

Estimated end date:
Friday, Nov. 6, 2026

Overall project end date:
Fall 2028

Traffic restrictions:
This work will require lane closures and traffic shifts on I-75 and M-32, shoulder closures, and lane closures with traffic regulators on Milbocker and McCoy roads.

Jobs numbers:
Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 457 jobs.

Project background:
Beginning this fall, MDOT will begin a $54 million project to replace the northbound and southbound I-75 bridges over M-32 in Gaylord and rebuild M-32 between Edelweiss Village Parkway/Meecher Road and Wisconsin Avenue. These bridges were built in 1961, are currently in poor condition and need to be replaced.

As part of the project, this interchange will be reconfigured as a DDI, an alternative interchange that improves safety and increases traffic flow. They have been successfully implemented at several locations throughout Michigan in recent years, as well as across the nation, helping reduce crashes and congestion.

In 2027, work will focus on replacing the northbound I-75 bridge and pavement, and rebuilding M-32 east of West Street. In 2028, work will focus on replacing the southbound I-75 bridge and pavement, and rebuilding M-32 through the interchange and to the west. While overall road work is expected to be finished in fall 2028, landscape planting is scheduled for 2029.

MDOT plans to maintain at least one lane in each direction on M-32 at most times (except during bridge demolition, bridge beam installation or while municipal utility replacement work is occurring).

When M-32 is closed (during periods expected to last several days during demolition and beam placement), traffic will be detoured on South Townline Road, Milbocker Road/McCoy Road and I-75 BL. This detour route will also be signed as a suggested alternate route for through-traffic during construction.

More information on the project, as well as videos of how to navigate the new interchange, is available on MDOT’s project webpage.

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