By Meg Peters
Review Co-Editor
On March 4 the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will undergo the bid letting to determine the future construction team for redesigning the length of M-24 in Orion Township.?
After presenting their detailed schedule of work, MDOT will choose the lowest contract bidder. Construction is expected to start early to mid-April.?
The ultimate goal is to make M-24 function more like Woodward Ave., a true Michigan boulevard, with no direct left turn lanes and instead u-turn turnarounds.?
Phase one includes M-24 from Harmon Rd. to Silver Bell. Phase two includes Silver Bell to Clarkson Rd., time allowing.?
While the construction schedule will not be available until the contractor is selected, MDOT Project Manager Lori Swanson said the project would more than likely begin with the temporary widening of M-24 to help shift traffic.?
Other details to the project include patching and resurfacing the first 3.5 inches of the road surface with hot mix asphalt, reconfiguring every intersection to eliminate direct left turn lanes, and adding a third lane to high volume areas.?
Every intersection from Harmon Rd. to south of Silver Bell Rd. will be temporarily closed, bi-directional crossovers will be eliminated and turnarounds installed. ?
At least one lane will be open at all times northbound and southbound on M-24. During peak morning hours, two lanes will be open, and the same goes for evening peak hours, which is subject to change.
Five to more-than-ten-minute delays can be expected while intersections are temporarily closed.
On weekends, only one lane each direction will be open.
Construction will temporarily halt during Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holiday periods.
MDOT was approved to work nights and weekends by the township board early January to help workers complete the total job in one season.?