MDOT today posted a visualization (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_PstCprpQk) of the I-196 reconstruction project in Grand Rapids. The project will result in the rebuilding of the freeway from the Grand River bridge east to Fuller Avenue, with the accompanying bridge rebuildings (College being done last year) and aesthetic improvements. MDOT also has a website (http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9621_11008_53418---,00.html) and a Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/MDOT_I196) to post updates on this project.
A few of us got together for a public open house for this before the stimulus law allowed for the funding for a third through travel lane. We noted then what a great improvement this will be.
I hope the MDOT is thinking about the same thing about the segment of I-196 from I-94 to exit 7. The road badly needs to be repaved.