UPDATE 5/22/24

Weather permitting, MDOT’s contractors should complete their work on Thursday, May 23. All traffic controls (barrels, barricades, etc.) will be collected on Friday, May 24 ahead of the Memorial Day weekend.

MDOT will be closing the outer westbound lane periodically this summer to water the newly installed plantings on the north side of the pathway across from Playmakers.

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UPDATE 5/1/24

Beginning on Monday, May 6, and lasting for approximately 3-4 weeks, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be performing concrete joint sealant repairs on Grand River Avenue and Okemos Road. During this time, MDOT will also be adding soil to create an additional leveled area just north of the pathway on the north side of Grand River Avenue across from Playmaker’s. MDOT will also be installing plants on the north side of this pathway across from Playmaker’s.

What to expect:

1. In order to repair the concrete joints that span the full width of Grand River Avenue, lane closures and traffic shifts will occur between Buddy’s Pizza and Nakoma Drive. Eastbound and westbound traffic will be maintained with at least one lane of traffic in each direction at all times.
2. In order to repair the concrete joints that span the full width of Okemos Road, lane closures and traffic shifts on Okemos Road will occur just north and south of the intersection at Grand River Avenue. Northbound and southbound traffic will be maintained with at least one lane of traffic in each direction at all times. 

Please note that there will be no restriction of turn movements at the Grand River Avenue/Okemos Road intersection during this work.

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UPDATE 8/28/23

Weather dependent, on Tuesday, August 29, MDOT will perform the final traffic signal work at the Marsh Road/Grand River Avenue intersection. On Wednesday, August 30, MDOT will perform the final signal work at the Meridian Mall intersection on Grand River Avenue.

On both dates, the contractor hopes to begin work around 9:00 am and complete the work by 3:00 pm. If it rains during this scheduled work, the work will be rescheduled, likely for the following day. The Township will announce the updated schedule if work is delayed by weather.

The traffic signal will not have power during the electrical work. There will be no left-hand turns while the work is being performed. The intersection will function as a four-way stop for right-hand and thru traffic movements. The left turn lanes will be closed off and temporary stop signs and no left turn signs will be installed at the intersection. 

Motorists are encouraged to seek alternative routes on these two dates as there will be traffic delays. This is the final work for MDOT’s Grand River Avenue construction project.

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UPDATE 8/23/23

Next week, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will perform the final traffic signal work required for the Grand River Avenue/M-43 Enhancement Project, effectively completing the construction project.

This work will affect traffic flow at the Marsh Road and Grand River Avenue intersection on Tuesday, August 29, and the Meridian Mall entrance on Grand River Avenue on Wednesday, August 30. On both dates, the contractor plans to begin work around 9:00 am and complete the work by 3:00 pm, avoiding most rush hour traffic.

During this electrical work, the affected intersection's traffic signals will not have power. The intersection will function as a four-way stop for right-hand and thru traffic movements. There will be NO LEFT-HAND-TURNS while the work is being performed. The left turn lanes will be closed off and temporary stop signs and no left turn signs will be installed at the intersection.

Motorists are encouraged to seek alternative routes on these two dates as there will be traffic delays.

Again, this is the final work for MDOT’s Grand River Avenue/M-43 Enhancement Project. We appreciate our community's patience while MDOT has worked to improve this vital road and make transportation along Grand River Avenue safer for travelers.

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UPDATE 8/16/23

All five lanes of Grand River Avenue are now open. The lanes will remain open, with the exception of some traffic shifts as the contractor applies the permanent pavement markings from Marsh Road to Park Lake Road. Permanent pavement markings will be completed by Monday, August 21.

There are also some temporary traffic shifts on the side streets off of Grand River Avenue from Park Lake Road to Okemos Road where manholes are currently being raised. Barrels will be removed once the concrete has cured around these manholes.  

There will be a 2-4 day period at the end of August or early September when the Marsh Road intersection and the signalized entrance to Meridian Mall will have to operate in a flashing red state while the final work is completed on these traffic signals. Motorists will be required to use this intersection as a four-way stop during this 2-4 day period. Once the project schedule is provided to the Township, an update will be posted with the timeline for these affected traffic signals. 

MDOT’s Grand River Avenue project will then be completed.

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UPDATE 8/8/23

The top and final layer of asphalt is currently scheduled to be paved on Wednesday, August 9 or Thursday, August 10. Final pavement markings will then be applied from just east of Marsh Road to the CN Railroad bridge the week of August 14.

The project will then be completed with the exception of some short, temporary traffic shifts to complete final restoration work just outside of the roadway.

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UPDATE 8/2/23

Weather dependent, the contractor will pave the first layer of asphalt in the inner three lanes on Thursday, August 3. The top and final layer of asphalt is currently scheduled to be paved on Tuesday, August 8.

Final pavement markings will then be applied from just east of Marsh Road to the CN Railroad bridge.

The project will then be completed with the exception of some short, temporary traffic shifts to complete final restoration work just outside of the roadway.

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UPDATE 7/26/23

The milling and paving of the outer lanes, from just west of Okemos Road to the CN Railroad bridge just east of Park Lake Road, has been completed. Weather dependent, the contractor will be working to fully reopen Grand River Ave on July 27 or July 28.

The contractor will close the inner three lanes, from just east of Okemos Road to Park Lake Road, on Tuesday, August 1 or Wednesday, August 2, to begin milling the inner through lanes and the left turn lane. The inner three lanes will still be accessible for left turns unless the contractor is actively paving.

Weather dependent, the first layer of asphalt is scheduled to be paved on Thursday, August 10. The final layer of asphalt is scheduled to be paved between August 13-16.

Final pavement markings will then be applied from just east of Marsh Road to the CN Railroad bridge.

The project will then be completed with the exception of some short, temporary traffic shifts to complete final restoration work.

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UPDATE 7/6/23

The final milling and paving, from just west of Okemos Road to the CN Railroad bridge just east of Park Lake Road, will begin on Monday, July 10. This work will take 3-4 weeks to complete and will occur in two phases:

1. The outer lanes and approaches to roads and parking lots will be milled and paved first.
2. The inner three lanes will be milled and paved second.

The lane closures will begin in front of Buddy’s Pizza and end at Park Lake Road. Access to businesses will be maintained.

Weather dependent, final pavement markings will then be applied from just east of Marsh Road to the CN Railroad bridge by Friday, August 11.

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UPDATE 6/16/23 

The milling and paving of Grand River Avenue, from just east of Marsh Road to McDonald's on Grand River Avenue, will be reopened no later than Friday, June 23.

MDOT completed the bottom layer of paving in the center three lanes on Thursday, June 15. MDOT is currently completing compaction testing. Once the test results are completed, MDOT will pave the top layer of asphalt in the center three lanes of Grand River Avenue between June 19-21. Temporary pavement markings will be applied between June 21-23. Once paving markings are applied, Grand River Avenue will be reopened.

One lane of EB and WB traffic will be maintained on Grand River Avenue during the work at the intersection. Access to all businesses will be maintained during this work. Marsh Road traffic will be detoured via Central Park Drive and Okemos Road.

The final phase of this project will involve the milling and paving of asphalt, from just west of the Okemos Road intersection, to the CN railroad bridge just east of Park Lake Road. This work will be completed between July 10 and mid-August.

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UPDATE (6/13/23)

Weather permitting, on June 13, MDOT will complete the paving of the outer eastbound (EB) and westbound (WB) lanes of Grand River Avenue and the approaches to businesses from just east of Marsh Road to McDonald's on Grand River Avenue.

On June 14, traffic will be shifted to the outer lanes that were just paved and MDOT will begin milling and paving the inner EB and WB lanes of Grand River Avenue. The third phase will be the milling and paving of the center turn lane.

Lane closures are also in effect just east of the Grand River Avenue and Dobie Road/Central Park Drive intersection for Consumers Energy to perform work on underground natural gas utilities. These lane closures will remain until Consumers Energy has completed their work.

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UPDATE 6/2/23

On Tuesday, June 6, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin the milling and paving of the Marsh Road and Grand River Avenue intersection, from just east of Marsh Road to McDonald's on Grand River Avenue. The work is scheduled to be completed by June 23 and will occur in three phases:

• Phase 1: Mill and pave of the outer eastbound (EB) and westbound (WB) lanes of Grand River Avenue and the approaches to businesses.
• Phase 2: Mill and pave the inner EB and WB lanes of Grand River Avenue.
• Phase 3: Mill and pave the center turn lane of Grand River Avenue.

One lane of EB and WB traffic will be maintained on Grand River Avenue during the work at the intersection, which means EB and WB traffic will not have to stop for red lights. Access to all businesses will be maintained during this work. Marsh Road traffic will be detoured via Central Park Drive and Okemos Road.

The final phase of this project will involve the milling and paving of asphalt from just west of the Okemos Road intersection to the CN railroad bridge just east of Park Lake Road. This work will be completed between June 28 and mid-to-late August.

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UPDATE 5/19/23

MDOT will complete the construction of the three pedestrian refuge islands by Friday, May 26, 2023. The three islands are located near Washington Heights Avenue, between Meijer and Best Buy, and at Campus Hill Drive.

Once the pedestrian refuge islands are complete, MDOT will reopen all of the lanes on Grand River Avenue from Dobie Road to Park Lake Road until milling and paving of the final portions begins approximately June 28.

This final phase of the Grand River Ave construction project is scheduled to be completed from June 28 to mid-to-late August.

• The final phase of work will involve the milling and paving of asphalt from the Grand River Avenue/Marsh Road intersection to the CN railroad bridge just east of Park Lake Road.
• Northbound and southbound Marsh Road traffic will need to be detoured via Central Park Drive and Hamilton Road while the Grand River Avenue/Marsh Road intersection is being resurfaced. 
• One lane of traffic, eastbound and westbound, will be maintained on Grand River Avenue while the paving occurs. Access to all businesses will be maintained.

The current lane closures just east of the Grand River Avenue/Dobie Road/Central Park Drive intersection are for underground gas utilities work being completed by Consumers Energy.

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UPDATE 5/9/23

Beginning Tuesday, May 9, inner westbound and eastbound lanes, and the center turn lane, will be closed from Campus Hill Drive to just west of Dobie Road. These lane closures are for the construction of three pedestrian refuge islands at Campus Hill Drive, at the area between Meijer and Best Buy, and at Washington Heights Avenue.

This work is part of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) project to provide improvements to Grand River Avenue. Initial work began in 2022 and will conclude in 2023.

Barrels will be spaced wider in areas where the islands are not being constructed. This is to allow for left turn movement during this work. These lane closures will be in place for 2-4 weeks. Once the three islands have been constructed, there will be a pause in construction and lane closures. 

The final portion of the project involves the milling and paving of Grand River Avenue from Marsh Road to Park Lake Road. The Okemos Road/Marsh Road intersection and the area in front of Playmakers will not be involved in the 2023 milling and paving portion of Grand River Avenue, as those areas were raised and reconstructed in 2022. 

This final work should begin at the end of June, with construction wrapping up in late August. We will provide updates as they become available from MDOT. 

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UPDATE 2/3/23

Beginning Monday, February 6 and running through Friday, February 17, the right lane of northbound Okemos Road from the Meijer driveway to Grand River Ave.  will be closed. MDOT’s contractor will complete the connection to the Grettenberger Drain during this time. 

Access to Meijer and all businesses will be maintained during this work. All turn movements at the Grand River Ave. and Okemos Road intersection will also be maintained. The left through lane will accommodate northbound Okemos Road traffic and traffic turning east onto Grand River Ave. during this work.

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UPDATE 1/6/23

Final Work to Occur on Grand River Ave from May to July of 2023: 

• Due to the nature of this project, some of the work had to be scheduled to be completed in 2023. The 2022 work involved three different areas:

1. Asphalt resurfacing east of the Marsh Road intersection to Oak Pointe Court.
2. Raising Grand River Avenue over 2 feet and updating underground infrastructure at the Okemos Road intersection to alleviate flooding and road closures.
3. Raising Grand River Avenue over 2 feet and updating underground infrastructure near Nakoma/Playmakers to alleviate flooding and road closures.

• The portions of Grand River Avenue from Marsh Road to the CN railroad bridge that were not raised this year will be resurfaced beginning in May of 2023. Resurfacing work goes much quicker and we anticipate that this work will occur in May and June with the project being completed by July. 
• This resurfacing work had to be scheduled for the following year as a lot of fill materials and underground infrastructure had to be brought in to raise these two sections of Grand River Avenue in 2022. If these other portions of Grand River Avenue had been resurfaced in 2022, the asphalt would have been heavily damaged by all of the construction equipment and materials being brought in to raise these two sections of Grand River Avenue.

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UPDATE 12/19/22

• Grand River Avenue is fully reopened with the lone exception of the outer westbound lane in front of Panera and Discount Tire while concrete cures. We currently anticipate that this outer westbound lane and the service drives to Panera and Discount Tire will fully reopen between December 19-20. Access will be maintained to Discount Tire and Panera.  
• Hamilton Road at Grand River Avenue will remain closed until the Okemos Road bridge project is completed in late January.
• For approximately three weeks in January, the outside northbound lane of Okemos Road will be closed from Grand river Ave to Fifth Third Bank for some remaining drain work on the west side of Okemos Road.

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UPDATE 12/9/22

• Both eastbound lanes on Grand River Avenue are now open in front of Playmakers, which means there are no longer any eastbound lane closures on Grand River Avenue. The westbound and center turn lanes will fully reopen between now and Wednesday, December 21

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UPDATE 12/9/22

• The Okemos Road/Grand Rive Avenue intersection signal is turned on and the intersection is open to turn movements now.

• The right turn lane from northbound Okemos Road to eastbound Hamilton Road is reopening on Wednesday, December 14. This lane was closed while concrete cured for 5 days stemming from the water main break at the southeast corner of the intersection last week.

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UPDATE 12/9/22

• All traffic lanes on Grand River Avenue through the Okemos Road intersection will be reopened on Friday, December 9. Both eastbound lanes and the center turn lane were fully reopened through the intersection on December 5-6. 
• Both westbound lanes will be fully reopened through the intersection on Friday, December 9.
• We currently anticipate that westbound traffic on Grand River Avenue will be able to turn right onto northbound Okemos Road beginning sometime on Friday, December 9.

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UPDATE 12/9/22

Final Work to Occur on Grand River Ave from May to July of 2023

• Due to the nature of this project, some of the work had to be scheduled to be completed in 2023. The 2022 work involved three different areas:

1. Asphalt resurfacing east of the Marsh Road intersection to Oak Pointe Ct.
2. Raising Grand River Ave over 2 feet and updating underground infrastructure at the Okemos Road intersection to alleviate flooding and road closures.
3. Raising Grand River Ave over 2 feet and updating underground infrastructure near Nakoma/Playmakers to alleviate flooding and road closures.

• The portions of Grand River Ave from Marsh Road to the CN railroad bridge that were not raised this year will be resurfaced beginning in May of 2023. Resurfacing work goes much quicker and we anticipate that this work will occur in May and June with the project being completed by July. 
• This resurfacing work had to be scheduled for the following year as a lot of fill materials and underground infrastructure had to be brought in to raise these two sections of Grand River Ave in 2022. If these other portions of Grand River Ave had been resurfaced in 2022, the asphalt would have been heavily damaged by all of the construction equipment and materials being brought in to raise these two sections of Grand River Ave. 

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UPDATE 12/1/22

• The Okemos Road/Grand River Avenue intersection reopening has been delayed due to supply chain issues with cold-weather paint.  
• The intersection had originally been scheduled to reopen on Friday, December 2. The intersection is now scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, December 6 or Wednesday, December 7.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience during this time.

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 UPDATE 11/21/22

 

• The Okemos Road/Grand River Avenue intersection will reopen by Friday, December 2. 

We appreciate everyone’s patience during this very difficult construction season. This project is not a usual resurfacing project, it includes a lot of work on, and around, underground utilities (drains, water mains, sewer mains, gas mains).

It also involves raising Grand River Avenue by over 2 feet to alleviate flooding and road closures, which requires a lot of fill to be brought in. Construction crews need more room than usual to perform this type of construction.

 

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UPDATE 10/31/22

• Traffic along Grand River Avenue from Hamilton Road to Grand View Avenue will be shifted from the south side lanes to the north side lanes on Thursday, November 3.
• Contractors will then begin to raise the south side lanes of Grand River Avenue from Hamilton Road to Montrose Avenue.
• Access to businesses on the south side of Grand River Avenue between Hamilton Road and Montrose Avenue will be maintained via Montrose Avenue. 
• Access to Mohawk Road on the north side of Grand River Avenue will be restored.
• Manhole adjustments in the outer lanes of Grand River Avenue from Marsh Road to Cornell Road have been completed and the outer lanes are being reopened on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. There are no more scheduled lane closures east of Marsh Road for this project. 
• No changes to traffic are expected at the Okemos Road/Grand River Avenue intersection until the intersection is reopened. We currently anticipate that the intersection will be reopened between Friday, November 18 to Friday, December 2.

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UPDATE 10/28/22

Nakoma Drive Section Across from Playmakers: Pathway, pavement and underground work is complete. Curb and gutter is scheduled to be poured on October 31, if concrete is available, and we anticipate that construction will switch to the south side of Grand River Avenue on November 3 or November 4, unless MDOT runs into delays due to weather or concrete shortages. 

Okemos Road/Grand River Avenue Intersection: Grade work is being completed on Grand River Avenue. We hope that the concrete pouring will begin on November 2. The intersection pavement will require 5-6 separate placements of concrete. Okemos Road south of the intersection is ready for concrete, but the concrete shortage is the current issue. The schedule will depend entirely on availability of concrete.

Then signalization work will begin to reopen the Okemos Road/Grand River Avenue intersection, hopefully by the end of November.

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UPDATE 10/24/22 

MDOT will close the outside lanes of Grand River Avenue from Marsh Road to Cornell Road from Monday, October 24 to Monday, October 31 to finish work on manholes within the outer lanes. Signal improvements will also be completed at the following intersections Meridian Mall entrance, Marsh Road, Dobie Road, and Cornell Road. Signal work is not expected to impact the flow of traffic. 

MDOT will also be completing the gravel shoulder work east of Cornell Rd from Monday, October 24 to Monday, October 31.

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UPDATE 9/13/22 

The contractor will be completing the top course of paving in the center turn lane on Grand River Avenue from Marsh Road to Cornell Road today. 

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UPDATE 9/6/22

The subcontractor plans to begin milling and paving of the center turn lane from Marsh Road to Cornell Rod on Tuesday, September 6. Top course will be placed pending joint compaction test results. 

On September 7 or September 8, traffic will shift from the south side to the north side of Grand River Avenue near the Okemos Road intersection where the road is being raised approximately 2 feet. There will still be one eastbound and one westbound lane through this section of Grand River Avenue. Those lanes will simply be on the north side of Grand River Avenue instead of the south side as they are today. After this shift occurs, construction and raising of the road will begin on the south side of Grand River Avenue.

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UPDATE 8/25/22

• Center through lanes on Grand River Avenue between Marsh Road and Cornell Road will reopen today once paving is completed. The center turn lane will remain partially closed.
• Milling and paving of the center turn lane on Grand River Avenue between Marsh Road and Cornell Road will take place next week, August 29 through September 2.
• In 1-2 weeks, traffic will shift from the south side to the north side of Grand River Avenue near the Okemos Road intersection where the road is being raised approximately 2 feet. There will be one eastbound and one westbound lane through this section just as there is today. Those lanes will simply be on the north side of Grand River Avenue instead of the south side as they are today. After this shift occurs, construction and raising of the road will begin on the south side of Grand River Avenue.
• Eastbound and westbound traffic will still be on the south side of Grand River Avenue near Playmakers. Traffic will eventually shift to the north side once MDOT’s contractors complete their work on the north side of Grand River Avenue.
• Milling and paving of the Marsh Road/Grand River Avenue intersection will be moved to June of 2023 when MDOT will be milling and paving the remaining sections of Grand Rive Avenue between Marsh Road and Park Lake Road that are not being raised and reconstructed this year.

This was requested by the Township to ensure traffic isn't further restricted in 2022. By moving the milling and paving of the Marsh Road/Grand River Avenue intersection to June of 2023, Okemos Road and Dobie Road will be fully reopened to create more viable detours.

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UPDATE 8/19/22

Paving of Grand River Ave from Marsh Road to Cornell Road: The top layer of asphalt will be paved on the inside eastbound and westbound lanes of Grand River Ave. from Marsh to Cornell Roads on Monday, August 22 and Tuesday, August 23.  

On Wednesday, August 24, the center turn lane of Grand River Ave. from Marsh Rd. to Cornell Rd. will be milled to a depth of 3 ½ inches. The base layer of asphalt will be paved in the center turn lane on Thursday, August 25. The schedule for paving the top and final layer of asphalt will depend on when the compaction test results are available for the base layer of asphalt.

Okemos Road and Grand River Ave. Intersection: On August 19, 2022, Contractors will begin pouring concrete for the north side of the Okemos Rd. and Grand River Ave. intersection that has already been raised. This work will continue through the week of August 22-26. There is potential for the east and west Grand River Ave. traffic to switch to the north side of Grand River Ave. with construction moving to the south side of Grand River Ave. in early to mid-September. 

 

UPDATE 8/8/22

Top layer paving of the outer lanes of Grand River Ave between Cornell Rd and Marsh Rd is currently scheduled for Wednesday, August 10. Tuesday, August 9 paving has been canceled due to rain

 

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UPDATE 8/5/22

Due to an equipment failure at the asphalt plant, the paving of the outer lanes of Grand River Ave between Cornell and Marsh Roads was cut short today. Some paving of the west bound outer lane was completed.

Paving of the outer lanes of Grand River Ave between Cornell and Marsh Roads will resume on Saturday, August 6.

Top layer paving of the outer lanes of Grand River Ave between Cornell and Marsh Roads is currently scheduled for Tuesday, August 9 and Wednesday, August 10. 

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UPDATE 8/1/2022

As part of the Grand River Avenue reconstruction project, milling and paving work will occur at 7:00 am on Tuesday, August 2 at the following locations:

• Paddock Dr. at the approach to Grand River Avenue.
• Northview Dr. at the approach to Grand River Avenue.
• Hamilton Rd. at the approach to Grand River Avenue.
• Washington Heights Ave. at the approach to Grand River Avenue.

Milling will begin at 7:00 am and paving will begin at approximately 1:00 pm. Traffic control persons will be used at each intersection to direct traffic. 

 

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UPDATE 7/22/2022

• The project is currently in Stage 4 with MDOT reaching Stage 5 in approximately 3-4 weeks. 
• Stage 5 will reconstruct the center lane of M-43 from Mohawk Rd. to Montrose Ave. from Hillcrest Ave to 650 East of Okemos Rd. 
• During this stage, westbound traffic will be routed to the outermost lane. 

 

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UPDATE 6/10/22

Tomorrow there will be HMA paving operations on Westbound Grand River between Cornell Rd. and Oakpointe Dr.  Traffic will be reduced to one lane, one direction at a time using flaggers. Traffic delays are anticipated.

 

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UPDATE 6/10/22 

• Traffic on Grand River Avenue was switched last week. Both NB & SB Grand River traffic is driving on the SB roadbed, with one lane in each direction. Traffic will remain in this configuration through July.
• Okemos Road is closed and detoured at Grand River Avenue. Detour route is Central Park Drive. This detour will be in effect for the duration of the project.
• Removals are complete at the closed portion of the Okemos Road intersection and the Contractor has been working on setting up a dewatering system in preparation for underground work. The underground work is expected to begin over the weekend or early next week.
• Contractor is continuing to install sheet piling.

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UPDATE 6/4/22

Traffic Change Notification:

The Contractor will be paving tomorrow (Saturday 6/3) on Grand River from Cornell to Oak Point Court from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. Traffic will be maintained in one lane for milling and resurfacing. 

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UPDATE 5/27/22

• Traffic on Grand River Avenue was switched last week. Both NB & SB Grand River traffic is driving on the SB roadbed, with one lane in each direction. Traffic will remain in this configuration through July.
• Okemos Road was closed and detoured at Grand River Avenue last week. Detour route is Central Park Drive. This detour will be in effect for the duration of the project.
• Next weekend (Saturday 6/4) there will be paving on Grand River Avenue from Cornell Road to Oak Point Court. Traffic will be reduced to one lane per direction, under flag control. There may be increased traffic delays during the paving operation.

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UPDATE 5/13/22

The contractor has updated their schedule to close northbound and southbound traffic on Okemos Road at Grand River Avenue. The closure has been delayed one day.  Okemos Road at M-43 will be closed at 7:00 on Tuesday, May 17. Current access and traffic controls will be maintained until that time.

Work Completed to Date:

• Continued installation of sheeting.
• Capping watermain at 218+50.
• Lowering drainage structures on outside eastbound and westbound.
• Prepping for temporary roadways along eastbound and westbound.
• Slope restoration.
• CATA removed bus stop in front of PNC Bank.
• Installed temporary drainage on eastbound 246+00 to 247+50.
• HMA placement on temporary roads eastbound and westbound.

Construction Schedule Next Week:

• Monday:  Cleanup, shaping slopes around temporary roadways.
• Tuesday:  Close Okemos Road both northbound and southbound, using detour route.
• Wednesday:  Switch traffic, all lanes on southbound side of M-43, activate temporary roadway to businesses.
• Thursday:   Set barrier wall.
• Friday:  Complete setting barrier wall, start destruction process on North side of M-43.  Milling will start on east end of project.   
• Saturday:  HMA Paving.

 

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UPDATE 5/10/22 

The contractor has updated their schedule for the closure of northbound and southbound traffic  on Okemos Road at Grand River Avenue/M-43.  The closure will be delayed until Monday, May 16. 

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UPDATE 5/6/22

Traffic Staging Change Beginning May 11:

• The Okemos Road/Grand River Avenue intersection will be closed to northbound and southbound traffic on May 11, and will remain closed until October 28. The closure date is subject to weather and completion of pre-stage work.
• Crews are preparing to commence the reconstruction on the north half of the Okemos Road intersection at Grand River Avenue. Grand River Avenue traffic will be shifted to the south side of the roadway in this area.
• One lane of Grand River Avenue traffic (eastbound and westbound) will be maintained at all times on the south side of Grand River Avenue (see below Stage 4 plan).
• The vehicle detour has been coordinated with the reconstruction of the bridge over the Red Cedar River, near Mount Hope Road. 
• Traffic controls between Marsh Road and Oak Point Court will remain unchanged.

Okemos Road Detour Plans - May 11, 2022

Work Completed Past 2-Weeks:

• Concrete curb and gutter removal and replacements complete along Grand River Avenue.
• Sidewalk and ADA ramp replacements at numerous intersections.
• Slope restoration in areas where sidewalks were replaced.
• Pavement removal on the north side of M-43 between Mohawk and Montrose.

Construction Schedule 2-Week Outlook:

The following dates are tentative. This information is based on the Contractor’s current schedule, and is subject to change due to weather:

• Full reconstruction will begin on Okemos Road at Grand River Avenue.
• Resurfacing of M-43 in the outside lanes between Marsh and Oak Point Court.
• Sheet pile installation to continue between Mohawk and Montrose.

 

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UPDATE 4/19/22

Beginning 4/26, all traffic will be shifted to the south side of M-43 between Mohawk and Montrose.  One lane will be maintained in each direction.  There will be no change in traffic controls from Montrose east.  The Okemos Road intersection will remain open, unchanged from its current configuration.

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UPDATE 4/14/22

Work Completed to Date:

• The Contractor completed tree removals and continued mobilizing equipment to the jobsite.
• Traffic controls, signs & drums were installed on the project.
• Soil erosion control and sedimentation (SESC) measures were installed in active work areas.
• Sawcutting was complete at concrete removal locations.

Construction Schedule 4-Week Outlook:

The following dates are tentative. This information is based on the Contractor’s current schedule and is subject to change due to weather:

• Now through 5/2: Outside lanes will remain closed in each direction (eastbound and westbound) on Grand River Avenue for removal and reinstallation of concrete curbs and ADA ramps between Mohawk and Cornell.
• Monday, 5/2: Full reconstruction will begin on Grand River Avenue at Okemos Road and on Grand River Avenue from Mohawk to Montrose.

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UPDATE 3/30/22

The following dates are tentative. This information is based on the Contractor’s current schedule, and is subject to change due to weather:

• Friday 4/1: Contractor will begin distributing traffic controls (signs and drums) on Friday 4/1.
• Monday 4/4 through 5/2: Contractor will close the outside lanes in each direction (eastbound and westbound) on Grand River Avenue for installation of ADA ramps between Mohawk and Cornell.
• Monday 5/2: Full reconstruction will begin on Grand River Avenue at Okemos Road and on Grand River Avenue from Mohawk to Montrose.

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UPDATE 3/15/22:

Initial tree work began on Tuesday, March 8. We currently anticipate the construction phases of the project to begin in early April, with the intensive reconstruction work at the Okemos Road and Nakoma Drive intersections to begin in late April.

 

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Work is anticipated to begin in March 2022 for tree clearing activities, transitioning to road work beginning in April. The project is anticipated to be completed by June 2023.

 

This project is being completed in coordination with Meridian Township, Ingham County Road Department and Ingham County Drain Commission to minimize impacts on local traffic. 

Spring through Fall of 2022:

• Concrete work which will include repairs to the curb and gutter and ADA improvements to pathways and ramps.
• The offsetting cut will be made on Township property behind the Central Fire Station.
• Major reconstruction and raising of Grand River Avenue near the intersections of Nakoma Drive and Okemos Road (approximately half a mile of roadway in total will be raised about 2 feet).
• Sheeting and shoring adjacent to the wetland across from Playmakers and a brand new pathway through this section. The Township will also complete its water main work along this section where the sheeting and shoring is going in.
• Resurfacing Grand River Avenue from Marsh Road to Oak Pointe Court.

Spring through Summer of 2023:

• Resurfacing the remaining portions (i.e. the sections where the road is not being raised 2 feet) of Grand River Avenue from the east end of the bridge over the CN railroad tracks to Marsh Road.

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• Design -2020 to Fall 2021
• Right-of-Way Acquisition - Winter 2020 to Spring 2021
• Construction Contract Bidding - January 2022
• Anticipated Construction -March 2022 to July 2023

Road work is to be completed with one lane open in each direction on M-43. Business access will be maintained throughout the project.

 

MDOT Public Meeting - HOMTV Coverage

• M-43 Project Information
• M-43 Stakeholder Presentation
• M-43 Stakeholder Construction Schedule UPDATED

This project was originally planned to be a simple resurfacing of Grand River Avenue. MDOT was able to secure additional funding to help improve pedestrian safety and raise about half a mile of Grand River Avenue in the two lowest sections near the intersections of Nakoma Drive and Okemos Road to alleviate flooding. Today, a 10-year storm results in extensive flooding that forces us to close Grand River Avenue near one or both intersections.  By raising the road in these two low sections and making an offsetting cut in this same flood plain to give the water a place to go, the road will not flood unless we have a storm in excess of a 10-year event.

As part of the project, crosswalks with pedestrian islands will be installed in the left-hand turn lane to provide for safer pedestrian mid-block crossings at Campus Hill Drive, between Meijer and Best Buy, and near Washington Heights Avenue. There is a pedestrian island installed on Grand River Ave just west of Hagadorn Road that is very similar to what MDOT will install in these three locations. The idea to add the islands was a joint effort led by the Township’s Corridor Improvement Authority and Transportation Commission.

The road and pathway adjacent to the wetlands across from Playmakers has slowly been collapsing over many years due to soil erosion into the wetland. As part of the project, sheeting and shoring will be used to create a retaining wall that will support the north end of the road and our pathway. Sheeting and shoring is the same method that was used in Downtown Okemos to protect the roads, infrastructure and utilities when EGLE did the core remediation of the old dry cleaner site. Essentially, MDOT’s contractor will drive steel plates into the ground to construct a retaining wall that reaches down into the earth far enough to find stable soils. This will protect the wetland from soil erosion and the infrastructure adjacent to it.

Lastly, Meridian Township and MDOT are working together to relocate the Township’s water main on this segment of Grand River Avenue near the wetland across from Playmakers. We are shifting our water main so it will be inside the sheeting and shoring retaining wall that will be installed.

With this change in scope, from a simple resurfacing project to a more intensive reconstruction of the Grand River Avenue corridor, this project is now estimated to cost approximately $14.7 million.

This project will reduce the frequency and impact of area flooding. The ADA-compliant sidewalks will be more accessible for all users.

Call the MDOT Lansing Transportation Service Center at: 517.335.3754.

For updates, go to www.Michigan.gov/Drive or www.twitter.com/MDOT_LanJxn.