MDOT Looking For Public Input On I-96 Project
LIVONIA (WWJ) - The Michigan Department of Transportation wants to put the fix on I-96, but not before getting your input.
The $150 million reconstruction project is slated to begin in late 2013 and will see a total overhaul of the freeway. Despite a resurfacing in 2001, M-DOT says I-96 needs bridge and overpass repairs, new pavement and upgrading to drainage, lighting, and signage. Just the scope of the overpass repair will involve 36 bridges and a total replacement of five of them.
M-DOT is considering closing down the seven miles of affected roadway between Telegraph and Newburgh for the life of the project; leaving one side of the freeway open during construction; or leaving both directions open.
Steve Tokarz, who owns a business in the area, believes that either option would cause him problems. "If they close that down, I have no trucking lanes for my UPS deliveries, they rely on this pretty heavily, Tokarz said.
However, he said he is a supporter of the total shutdown if it will speed up the construction process. "If it helps get it done faster, then I guess you work around it," he said.
Chris Wood would rather keep part of the freeway open, which he said would prevent too much congestion. "You have to let traffic get through there, it causes more problems when you get all that traffic going on these side roads."
The department has put together a website for residents, business owners and commuters impacted by the construction to view the plans, and leave comments or ideas. The public comment period ends Thursday, March 8.
To view the I-96 construction alternatives and give your feedback, visit: http://www.96fix.com/.
