DELTA TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Driving on parts of I-496 can be like driving on the moon so it's good news that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is sinking $40 million into the interstate next year.
The state will be reconstructing about a four-mile stretch of I-496 in Delta Township.
"It's bumpy. It's got a lot of rocks and things flying up," said Rich Keift who has lived in Delta Township since 1982. "In the winter time, it gets very, very slippery. It was good at one point, but it's definitely in need of repair."
Starting in spring of 2020, MDOT is going to break up the old freeway between I-96 and Lansing Road and re-pave it, but that's not all.
"There's going to be reconstruction of the mainline freeway, interchange ramps, bridge repair. The 15 bridges within the project limits," said Aaron Jenkins, a spokesperson for MDOT.
Jenkins added that crews will work on one side at a time, while the other side of the freeway remains opens. The main detour will be on Lansing Road.
Even though there will be more traffic, Keift said the change is necessary.
"Going along with the governor's plan to rebuild the roads, it's the first step. It needs to be done."
Officials will accept bids for the project early next Spring.
MDOT's next step will be to find a contractor. It'll then have a town meeting to lay out all the details.
The project is expected to be finished in October, or early November of 2020.
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