By: Mary Beth Almond | Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle | Published April 1, 2024
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — This month, the Michigan Department of Transportation will begin rebuilding the Interstate-75 business loop, which comprises Square Lake Road from Woodward Avenue to I-75 in Bloomfield Township.
“The current pavement has reached its useful life and is beginning to become unsafe for travelers and inefficient to continue maintenance activities. Replacing this pavement now is the right decision for the best use of taxpayer dollars and it will significantly improve the driver’s safety and experience traveling this route,” MDOT engineer David Anason said in a statement.
The community can learn more about the project and how it will affect their commute during a public meeting 5:30-7:30 p.m. April 10 in the auditorium of Bloomfield Township Hall, 4200 Telegraph Road.
Anason said MDOT always strives to engage the public at every phase of a project.
“We had public meetings during the design phase, and now that we’re moving into the construction phase, the public needs to know about future traffic impacts to this area,” he said in an email.
The Michigan Department of Transportation will be investing $15 million for the project, which includes rebuilding the I-75 business loop pavement, installing drainage improvements, creating new curbs and gutters, upgrading traffic signals, and improving the Opdyke Road/Square Lake Road ramps.
Beginning Monday, April 15, the westbound I-75 business loop will be closed to traffic from I-75 to Woodward Avenue through mid-summer. MDOT officials said westbound traffic will be detoured farther north on I-75 to westbound M-59, then farther west through the Woodward loop to Woodward Avenue, then west to Square Lake Road.
Once the westbound side is rebuilt, the eastbound I-75 business loop will be closed from Woodward Avenue to I-75 sometime in mid- to late summer through the fall.
The project has had significant public engagement throughout the process, Bloomfield Township Supervisor Dani Walsh said, due to the original suggestion by MDOT to remove a ramp that she said would have “drastically affected an already highly congested area.”
“After the last public meeting, the MDOT administration and I have worked together to foster open communication with their staff, legislators, and the Bloomfield Township residents and business owners to better coordinate projects in our township prior to breaking ground. A project of this magnitude affects a main artery in our Township, so it is important to inform all residents and businesses directly affected so they can get prepared and plan how to adjust during construction season,” she said in a statement.
The project, according to Anason, is a great example of how MDOT engages the public and makes changes to designs based on public comments.
“We encourage everyone to participate in local public meetings of all our projects. We listen and hear the public’s concerns and observations. When possible, we make changes accordingly. In this case, we heard from the public, and these ramps will remain open and will get an asphalt overlay to make them safer,” he said in an email.
MDOT’s April 10 open house is the next chance for the public to learn what’s included in the project and when it will happen, as well as to reiterate that ramps are not being removed, thanks to the input from the residents and township administrators.
“The meeting gives the public, especially those directly affected by the temporary construction zone, a chance to come and ask questions, see the full plan and address any concerns,” Walsh added.
The road construction will begin this month and will be completed in late fall. MDOT officials said some restoration and other miscellaneous work will be done in 2025.
“Although the process of construction can be stressful for those living along the route, as well as commuters that rely on access, the end result will be worth it,” Walsh said.
“MDOT understands that our construction and repair projects are extremely intrusive and inconvenient for the traveling public. We always appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to strive to provide Michiganders the best roadway network infrastructure possible,” Anason said in a statement.
Attendees who require mobility, visual, hearing, written or other assistance for participation in the April 10 meeting are asked to contact Orlando Curry at (517) 241-7462 or CurryO@Michigan.gov at least five business days prior to the scheduled meeting. Forms are located on the Title VI webpage. Requests made after this timeframe will be evaluated and honored to the extent possible, they said.
MDOT is also seeking public comment to recognize and address any concerns that may result from the project. Concerns and comments can be sent to Jeff Pitt at PittJ@michigan.gov or to Monica Monsma, 425 W. Ottawa St., P.O. Box 30050, Lansing, MI 48909. Comments may also be sent to MonsmaM@Michigan.gov.
For more information on the project, call MDOT at (517) 335-4381, Bloomfield Township at (248) 433-7700, or visit www.Michigan.gov/MiDrive.