Lane closures will continue into late December, according to a press release, to finish up under-bridge lighting and miscellaneous work.
By: Taylor Christensen | Southfield Sun | Published November 23, 2024
SOUTHFIELD — Only two lanes will be open northbound and southbound US-24 (Telegraph Road) at M-102 (Eight Mile Road) until late December during the finalization of the interchange modernization project.
This project will become the first diverging diamond interchange in the metro Detroit area. A diverging diamond interchange is a type of highway interchange that allows for two directions of traffic to temporarily cross to the left side of the road.
The interchange provides fewer conflict points, no driver confusion, shorter pedestrian crossings, and more, according to divergingdiamond.com.
This project is being funded by federal, state, and local sources, and is going to cost around $54 million dollars, according to Diane Cross, the Michigan Department of Transportation’s media contact. The two-year project is slated to be finished by the end of 2024.
Road closures due to crews working on the project went from Nov. 16 to 25.
On Nov. 16, overhead signs were installed for the project. Throughout Nov. 23-25, crews completed traffic signal work, placed pavement markings, and began working on traffic control islands to help direct drivers through the new interchange.
On Nov. 25, northbound and southbound US-24 had combined 18 new traffic signals at M-102 in operation to control traffic through the new interchange.
Lane closures will continue into late December, according to a press release, to finish up under bridge lighting and miscellaneous work. There will only be two lanes open for northbound and southbound US-24 at M-102.
“Traffic will remain in the current two-lane configuration, even as the DDI signals begin working very soon. The key difference will be the new interchange alignment and the traffic signals and the ‘crossing over’ of northbound and southbound traffic,” Cross said.
“These movements are guided by signals, signing and pavement markings, but drivers will have a couple weeks to become familiar with the new traffic pattern before we transition to the full opening of 4-lane configuration permanently.”
Four-lane traffic will reopen when all the project is complete around the end of the year.
“The new modernized interchange has removed the ramps that had abrupt stops at the M-102/8 Mile and US-24/Telegraph ramps, which caused problems with stopping and yielding,” Cross said.
“The most noticeable part of the new interchange design will be the many new traffic signals controlling traffic in both directions.”
Cross urges drivers to be cautious as they learn the new way of the roads.
“Drivers will need to stay extra alert as traffic gets used to the new diverging diamond interchange,” she said. “As long as drivers stay in their own lane and follow the signals, it will just be a matter of time until everyone is used to it.”
Cross also pointed out that the new street lighting – LED traffic signals – under bridge lighting and pavement marking in the area will safely guide drivers through the interchange.
A press release stated that the road project will directly and indirectly support 653 jobs.
Cross said that this change will bring a safe movement of goods and services that will provide reliable transportation infrastructure. In turn, creating job growth and economic stability.
“It is MDOT’s hope that the modernized design of the US-24/Telegraph and M-102/ 8 Mile Road interchange (a gateway between Detroit and Southfield/Wayne and Oakland counties) and the reconstructed US-24 roadway will serve the public, local businesses, adjacent residents and all other commercial transportation reliably for many years to come,” Cross said.