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I-475 Rebuilding Michigan project and corridor study

I-475 Rebuilding Michigan project and corridor study

MDOT is rebuilding the I-475 corridor from Bristol Road to Carpenter Road, with work beginning in spring 2024.

MDOT has gathered public input at quarterly meetings on all aspects of vehicular, nonmotorized, and transit transportation needs in the project area. These projects are made possible through funding provided by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's Rebuilding Michigan program.

The I-475 corridor improvements included a planning and environmental linkages (PEL) study. The PEL study is a collaborative process that considers environmental, community and economic goals in the transportation planning process. 

Learn more about the I-475 corridor project.

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    Trevor Block, Davison TSC Manager, 810-653-7470

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Resources

Throughout the PEL process, MDOT has continued to gather input from the community through various forms of public engagement including meetings with the Local Advisory Council (LAC) and the Business Advisory Council (BAC), public meetings, one-on-one meetings, e-mails, and electronic applications. Linked below are presentation materials and videos used in the outreach process.

Project update

The I-475 project began with a $300 million investment commitment from the Rebuilding Michigan bond program (RMBP) to rebuild the remaining 8 miles of I-475. As the development process began, MDOT heard the community’s concerns and desire to improve the local facilities as a part of the project. To address these comments and concerns, MDOT initiated a Planning Environmental Linkages (PEL) study, which is now complete and can be viewed. The study provided a transparent and collaborative decision-making process for the I-475 planning process, and was used to identify and evaluate alternatives that best met the project’s purpose and needs of the local community.

Implementing all concepts of the identified PEL Acceptable Alternative is estimated to more than double the cost of the original project, from $300 million to more than $700 million. Due to this cost differential, MDOT is evaluating what items from the PEL have the largest impacts on connectivity of the communities, applying for federal grant funding, planning a phased approach to the PEL Acceptable Alternative, and implementing what can be afforded.

MDOT commits to move the I-475 project forward in line with the spirit of the PEL study and implement attributes that focus on connectivity of the local communities. Funding and early development stages had already begun when the PEL process was initiated. The RMBP funds that have been allocated for the I-475 projects prior to the PEL study must be utilized within a given time frame. Delaying the advertisement to allow time to pursue additional funding sources would result in forfeiture of the RMBP funding.

Without the $300 million in RMBP funds, MDOT cannot move forward with work on I-475. Although the current timeline and funding will not allow inclusion of all concepts developed from the PEL into the current I-475 project, there is potential for development as separate projects when appropriate funding is secured.

Throughout the upcoming project development phases, MDOT will continue robust public engagement to inform the public and accept feedback on proposed improvements.

Planning and Linkages (PEL) studies and other planning products may be incorporated into environmental planning and National Environmental Policy Act processes.