Michigan Department of Transportation issued the following announcement on April 1.
The first project in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's Rebuilding Michigan plan has begun on a major corridor near Lansing. Crews are clearing right of way and old, deteriorating pavement on eastbound I-496 in Eaton County soon will be removed so a new freeway can take shape.
The project is one of 122 on heavily traveled state-owned highways made possible or put on an accelerated timeline thanks to bond financing approved by the Michigan Transportation Commission. When the bond financing is complete, it will allow the department to advance projects so users can enjoy the social and economic benefits sooner. Bonding for improvements with a significant useful life spreads the project costs to the users over a longer period of time.
Rebuilding the freeway completely will save commuters and commercial haulers countless hours and money lost to delays from ongoing maintenance work.
"This freeway has been held together with patches and emergency repairs for too long," said Gov. Whitmer. "When the dirt begins to fly, it will mean the Rebuilding Michigan initiative is rebuilding roads so commuters know they will have a smooth and reliable ride for many decades to come. I look forward to long-term fixes like this across the state over the next few years."
MDOT is investing approximately $60 million to improve I-496 between I-96 and Lansing Road. Work will include rebuilding the freeway and ramps, preventive maintenance on all the bridges in the project area, and making operational improvements to the entrance and exit ramps at the I-96, Creyts Road, and Waverly Road interchanges.
These improvements will provide increased safety and mobility for the Capital City in the area of I-496, connecting the local, national, and international trade corridor.
This work is taking place along local road work, including Waverly Road reconstruction between Lansing Road and St. Joseph Street, construction of a shared-use path along Waverly Road from Old Lansing Road north to St. Joseph Street, and watermain installation at various locations crossing I-496.
For more information about the I-496 project, go to www.Michigan.gov/496Lansing
Original source can be found here.
Source: Michigan Department of Transportation
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