I-94 BL (Huron Street/Washtenaw Avenue) Repaving - Ann Arbor

MDOT is repaving 2.8 miles of I-94 Business Loop (BL) (East Huron Street/Washtenaw Avenue) from Main Street to East Stadium Boulevard in Ann Arbor.

The work, planned for 2027, will include resurfacing the existing pavement, replacing existing sidewalk ramps and addressing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades, as required. Work will also include pedestrian safety upgrades, including a new mid-block crosswalk and pedestrian hybrid beacon near 2350 Washtenaw Ave., signalized intersection pedestrian pushbuttons with leading pedestrian interval (where feasible), and left-turning radii changes. The project limits have been broken into three segments. The first segment (segment 1) of the project, Main Street to S. University Avenue, will retain the current roadway cross-section and existing pavement markings. Segment 2 is South University Avenue to Tuomy Road. Segment 3 is Tuomy Road to Stadium Boulevard.

During the project’s early development, MDOT evaluated the safety, performance and future plans of the entire project area. This included an evaluation of changes to the number of travel lanes from South University Avenue to Stadium Boulevard and led MDOT to propose” right sizing” the roadway, also known as a “road diet." Detailed information about vehicle performance and safety can be read in I-94 BL (Washtenaw Avenue) Road Diet Operation Analysis.

MDOT’s studied the traffic flows along the corridor from South University Avenue to East Stadium Boulevard during early project development. To do this, traffic models were developed that looked at how busy the road was in 2024 and how busy it may be 20 years in the future, using a conservative assumption of 0.5% traffic growth per year, with no changes to the corridor. MDOT compared that to 20 years in the future with two through-lanes and a single center turn-lane. In this scenario, drivers traveling north into Ann Arbor during the morning peak period could experience an increase of about 30 seconds of travel time, and drivers traveling south during the evening peak period could experience an increase of about 15 seconds of travel time. 

MDOT began municipal and agency engagement in early 2026 leading to a public open house on April 16 alongside a comment period from April 1 to May 5. During this period the community was asked to share their preference of alternatives for the future roadway design.

As of July 2026, MDOT is pursuing the roadway design centered on the bus-lane alternatives. The department recognizes Washtenaw Avenue as a key commuter route serving the city, the medical center and the University of Michigan. While project scope and funding do not support roadway widening or property acquisition, the design will include features to support traffic flow, such as: a continuous two‑way left‑turn lane between South University Avenue and Tuomy Road.

Incorporating a transit-oriented alternative along Washtenaw Avenue and Huron Street is expected to maximize overall person‑throughput for the roadway.

Learn more about the segment alternatives and survey responses.