While traveling around Northern Michigan in 2024, expect some delays because of a host of construction projects. According to the plans from the Michigan Department of Transportation, some of the current and upcoming work includes:
- M-35 project in Marquette county
- Project to repair three eastern U.P. bridges
- Lane closures on US 131 near Cadillac
- Lane closures and traffic shifts on I-75 near Indian River
- US 31 closed in downtown Traverse City
- I-75 Gaylord Business loop rebuild
- Lane closures on Mackinac Bridge for repaving work
- I-75 rebuilding in Cheboygan County
- M-55 resurfacing through Prudenville, Houghton Lake
- Lane closures on US-10 and the business route in Reed City
- Webb Road bridge deck replacements over I-75 in Cheboygan County
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Here are some more details on each of these projects including time-lines and what work will be completed.
M-35 project in Gwinn set to restart April 22
Work on the rebuilding project in Marquette county from east of Smith Street to the east branch of the Escanaba River in Gwinn will resume April 22, weather permitting. MDOT, Forsyth Township, and the Marquette County Road Commission are investing about $4.4 million to rebuild 0.7 miles of M-35 in Gwinn. Work includes asphalt rebuilding; concrete curb, gutter, and sidewalk ramp installation; storm sewer and drainage repairs; bridge approach repairs; water main and sanitary sewer repairs; detour route improvements; and pavement markings. Work was begun last year. About two blocks of the project remain to be completed. It’s estimated to be completed in June 2024.
Project to repair three eastern U.P. bridges begins April 17
About $2 million is going into the repair of 1-75 bridge over the Carp River, the M-123 overpass at I-75 and the M-134 bridge over the Pine River in Mackinac County. Work includes epoxy overlay, deck patching, joint replacement, structure patching, railing repairs, beam, substructure, surface sealer, and approach work. This project includes a five-year epoxy bridge deck overlay performance warranty.
At the M-134 bridge, one lane of alternating traffic will be open at all times using traffic signals and a temporary barrier wall. Traffic will be restricted to a 10-foot maximum width and a speed reduction of 35 mph will be in place through the work area.
All three bridges are expected to be completed in November 2024.
Lane closures on US 131
Work underway on two-phase bridge project near Cadillac.
A $3.6 million repair project started early thanks to springlike weather in the Cadillac area. The southbound US 131 bridge over M-115 is being repaired and the estimated end date is May 22. The northbound bridge will undergo similar repairs in fall 2024.
According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, the project includes deck replacement, steel repairs, pin and hanger replacement, structural steel cleaning and coating, substructure repairs, guardrail and approach work.
Lane closures and shifts are part of the project on US 131 and M-115.
Lane closures on I-75 near Indian River
Single-lane closures and traffic shifts are expected for the next two months on the I-75 bridges over the Indian River in Cheboygan County.
The Michigan Department of Transportation said the $407,000 project will improve the ride quality of the bridge approaches and extend their service life.
The work is slated to begin March 25 and estimated to end May 23.
Gaylord I-75 business loop rebuild
The project will rebuild 2.2 miles of I-75 business loop between the south I-75 exit and Gaylord and Wisconsin Avenue/Grandview Boulevard, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.
During the first phase, crews will work on building the roundabout at McCoy Road and rebuilding the highway north to Wisconsin Avenue/Grandview Boulevard. During this phase, crews will also patch and seal the deck of the bridge over I-75 at Exit 279. Work on this phase is scheduled to begin April 1 and be completed by Aug. 2. Work on the Exit 279 bridge is scheduled to be completed by May 23.
During the second phase, crews will work on rebuilding the highway from McCoy Road south to the northbound I-75 Exit 279 ramp. This phase is scheduled to begin July 8 and be completed by Oct. 18.
Work is scheduled to begin April 1 and be completed by Nov. 1.
I-75 rebuilding in Cheboygan County
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is continuing the construction phase of a two-year, $52 million investment to rebuild 9 miles of I-75 from Levering Road to US-31 in Cheboygan County. This year’s work includes rebuilding the northern half of the project (northbound lanes first, then southbound lanes) from Hebron Town Hall Road north to south of US-31.
Work in 2023 included rebuilding the southern half of the project. The project includes removing the 1950s-era concrete roadway, which has been susceptible to joint deterioration, particularly during extreme summer temperatures.
Mackinac Bridge lane closures
The Mackinac Bridge Authority said Monday it will begin a two-season repaving project on the bridge’s north viaduct and approach truss spans March 25, weather permitting.
Repaving, deck repairs, and joint repairs on the two northbound lanes of the bridge will begin March 25 and is scheduled to be completed by May 23. Traffic will be maintained with one lane open in each direction during construction. All lane closures will be lifted after May 23.
M-55 resurfacing through Prudenville, Houghton Lake
On April 1, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin a $6.1 million project to resurface nearly 10 miles of M-55 from US-127 through Houghton Lake and Prudenville to the M-18 north junction, in Roscommon county. Crews will replace concrete curb and gutter, and make improvements to pedestrian path accessibility. The roadway’s existing four- and five-lane configuration will remain the same after project completion.
MDOT also plans to line culverts and storm sewer pipes along this corridor as part of a separate $1 million maintenance contract. That work is expected to begin in May or June, and will be done concurrently with the resurfacing project.
US 10 and the business route in Reed City
Improvements include deck replacement, new railing, substructure repair, steel beam painting, and approach rebuilding. Daytime lane closures for prep work began this week. US-10 business route on Chestnut Street is scheduled to close April 15 from US-10 to just south of the Hersey River near Stimson Avenue, and lane closures with traffic shifts will be in effect on US-10. Mackinaw Trail will be closed at US-10 business route and the White Pine Trail will be closed with pedestrian traffic rerouted onto the section of Chestnut Street that is closed to vehicular traffic. Expect weekday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. lane closures for bridge work are in effect through mid April on US-10 and Chestnut Street over the Hersey River. Full-time lane closures for bridge work begin April 15. The project is set to end early September, 2024.
