Michigan Notes

[wanderer2575]

A couple upcoming open houses for metro Detroit projects:

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is hosting a final open house to share the findings of its feasibility study for the I-75/M-102 (8 Mile Road) interchange in the cities of Detroit and Hazel Park.  Attendees are invited to learn more about the study findings, technical work and how public input helped shape the proposed recommendations.  MDOT staff and consultants will be available to answer questions.

Tuesday, July 29, 2025
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
A brief presentation at 5:45 p.m.

Hazel Park District Library, Event Room
123 E Nine Mile Road
Hazel Park, MI 48030

https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/news-outreach/pressreleases/2025/07/15/mdot-open-house-july-29-to-discuss-i-75


The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is hosting a public meeting to discuss an overview of a planned M-153 (Ford Road) rebuilding project in Canton Township.  MDOT, Wayne County and Canton Township are partnering to rebuild M-153 (Ford Road) between Sheldon Road and I-275, including boulevards to eliminate left turns to reduce crashes and improve traffic flow through the corridor.  The project is currently scheduled for 2028-2029, with work expected to begin in spring 2028.

Wednesday, August 20, 2025
4-6 p.m.

Summit on the Park
46000 Summit Parkway
Canton Township, MI 48188

https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/news-outreach/pressreleases/2025/07/15/mdot-public-meeting-aug-20-to-discuss-m-153

[KelleyCook]

MDOT has selected the urban diamond interchange for the I-75/8-Mile Road location.

I, for one, will not miss the hideous 8-mile flyover bridge where, for 40+ years, the homeless congregated and weather permitting came out and trolled for money from every person turning under it.

[afguy]

Three years later: GR and state lay out plan on how to use $10M grant for Wealthy St. and US-131

The safety of this interchange has been a concern for many drivers. Three years ago, community leaders started the discussion of what to do about it. Since then, not much has changed.

"We'll really go out of our way to avoid it," Bruce Buursma said. It's a concerning intersection for some drivers.

"It's a short ramp, and so it backs up quickly," Buursma said. "I can usually easily avoid it. It's a little trickier now because of the Market Street construction. So sometimes we find ourselves using the Wealthy Street ramp, although not much." Greg Warren often travels this spot for work. He drives a semi-truck and knows it's not easy to navigate, especially with 18 wheels. "It's just like, oh, man, this is a lot of anxiety, but I make it work. So it's a little tight," Warren added.

Three years ago, Grand Rapids and the state discussed revamping this area after receiving a $10 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

I've learned that these two are expected to accept a plan on Tuesday on how to use that money:

• $4 million to the National Environmental Policy Act
• $3 million to Design
• $3 million public utility infrastructure

I asked MDOT why this process is taking so long.

"Our annual budget for everything in one year is about $100 million, and to rebuild this whole stretch is going to cost around $600-$700 million," MDOT Grand Region Communications Representative John Richards said.

Richards adds even if they had the money now it would still take years before work starts.

https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grand-rapids/three-years-later-gr-and-state-lay-out-plan-on-how-to-use-10m-grant-for-wealthy-st-and-us-131