Alexa Ford ‘26, Social Media Manager
While the 2025 construction season is set to be one of the most ambitious road-repair efforts in recent Michigan history, many have said this is only the beginning. Thousands of miles of repairs and long-term financial planning is raising concern among Michigan residents. Crews are working on resurfacing highways, replacing broken dangerous roads, and repairing bridges. Many residents are seeing, and getting annoyed by, a rise in traffic and road blocks during their normal commute. Some have noted how a high number of main roads are under construction, simultaneously causing massive backups and frustration. Officials say this is a part of a broad plan to improve safety and upgrade aging roads and infrastructure.
Starting with one of the most impactful shutdowns: M-14/I-96. According to the state of Michigan this major two-year reconstruction starting in February 2025, has caused a large impact on travellers in the Wayne County area. Many entrance and exit ramps have been closed not only onto this part of the highway, but also connectors which is a common commuter route. 140 million dollars has been put onto this specific project to rebuild the overall roadways, ramps, updating 17 bridges, freeway lighting, drainage, and adding in new information technology (IT) for traffic-management. As of now, the reconstruction has moved eastbound as the main focus, as crews add pavement markings, barrier walls, and finishing touches. This project is affecting drivers to experience detours, slowdowns, and significant traffic delays due to the lane and ramp closures, which reduced traffic down to one lane. They are hoping to begin moving westbound starting in 2026 with continued improvements.
The I-96 Corridor is a part of a broader 44 million dollar investment project set to focus on rebuilding multiple bridges over large roads like Grand River and Washington Avenue. The goal is to boost safety and mobility along the commute on a key trade corridor. Most of this work has been completed in 2023 and 2024, with the roadwork crossover taking place this year.
According to Michigan gov, Southbound I-75 closes for resurfacing in northern Oakland County. This continues as part of a 160 million dollar project to resurface and repair I-75 from M-15 to the Oakland-Genesee county line. The project includes repairing 11 bridges, drainage improvements, signs, and guardrails. The southbound M-15 ramp to southbound I-75 will open once weather clears for pavement markings. For now, East Holly Road exit, and the Dixie Highway exit are closed. Various work will continue over the next four years throughout 15 miles.
As individuals drive through downtown and surrounding areas of South Lyon, it will be hard to miss a traffic cone or road work signs on the edges of roads and neighborhoods. Minor road work is being done in town, a huge road construction project is set for the new year. Senior Kenzie Bowman said “The road work being done often causes a lot of traffic when you have to abruptly stop and change lanes. This extends my drive time and often makes me run late.” According to the road commission for Oakland County, this 11 million dollar project to reconstruct Pontiac Trail and Lafayette Street from 9 Mile Road to north 10 Mile Road. This project is set to include reconstructing drain systems, installing a storm sewer, milling, modernizing traffic signals, upgrading crosswalks and much more. Road closure information is not yet available along with estimated state and finishing time of this construction.
Many are left irritated with how much construction is being done to roads and highways in such a short amount of time, but many are also not looking at the full picture and how this is going to positively impact safety and long-term solutions to Michigan roadways. All of these projects are part of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan program. Governor Whitmer said, “Across Michigan, we are moving first and fixing the damn roads to grow our economy, helping Michiganders go to work, drop their kids off at school and run errands safely. By the end of this construction season, we will have fixed, repaired or replaced nearly 24,500 lane miles of roads and 1.900 bridges, supporting thousands of good-paying, local jobs without raising taxes by a dime.”
Overall, road construction has caused frustration for many drivers, traffic and constantly passing in work zones and detours. The improvements being made are hoping to lead to a smoother and safer commute for Michiganders to make everyday travel better for everyone.
Lyon Life 