Interactive map allows residents to follow road projects’ progress

Michiganders can now track $3.5 billion worth of road projects being completed over the next five years as part of the Rebuilding Michigan Bonding Program.

In January 2020, the State Transportation Commission authorized the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to issue $3.5 billion in bonds over four years (2021-2025) to finance state highway and bridge improvement projects. Funding raised through bond sales will finance 46 new projects and free up additional funding for 120 other projects, expanding the scope of that work or advancing project schedules.

This year, work will begin on the first 21 projects, which follows MDOT selling the first $800 million package of bonds in September 2020. The very favorable market reaction resulted in a premium as the sale generated nearly $1.1 billion in proceeds.

On Thursday, state officials announced that Michiganders can now follow the status of each Rebuilding Michigan road project by visiting Michigan.gov/RebuildingMichigan, an interactive map showing each project location, scope, and progress along with a running statewide tally of the hours of construction work

spent on projects and the jobs supported by the work. The map data will be updated monthly, according to MDOT officials.

In Oakland County, there are three bond-financed reconstruction and rehabilitation projects totaling $826 million that include:

• I-96 Flex Route: This $272 million project is expected to start in spring 2022 and involve constructing a flex route along I-96 between Kent Lake Road and I-275 to help ease traffic congestion during rush hour and other high traffic volume periods. After project completion, drivers will be able to utilize the median shoulder as a lane during peak traffic hours. Electronic signage will tell drivers when they can and cannot use the flex route lane.

• I-696: This $456 million project is expected to start in 2022 and involve reconstructing I-696 between I-275 and Dequindre Road

• I-75: This $98 million project is expected to start in 2022 and involve rehabilitating I-75 between M-15 and the Oakland County line

In Macomb County, there are two bond-financed reconstruction projects $129.6 million that include:

• M-59: This $69.6 million project is expected to begin in 2021 and involve reconstructing M-59 from Romeo Plank Road to I-94

• I-94: This $60 million project is expected to begin in 2022 and involve reconstructing I-94 from 8 Mile to 11 Mile roads

MDOT’s five-year transportation program can be viewed at: https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7151-9621_14807_14810_ 59639—-,00.html.