M-53 (Van Dyke Freeway) rehabilitation in Macomb County begins Friday, March 13

Contact: Rob Morosi, MDOT Office of Communications, 248-483-5127

Agency: Transportation

March 9, 2009 -- A $40 million investment to rehabilitate more than 9 miles of pavement on M-53 (Van Dyke Freeway) and to replace the 26 Mile Road overpass begins this weekend, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The project will begin with the removal of the 26 Mile Road bridge over M-53.

Scheduled to begin at 11 p.m. on Friday, March 13, northbound and southbound M-53 will close at 26 Mile Road in order for crews to start the process of removing the existing overpass. At the same time, 26 Mile Road over M-53 will close, with detours posted for local traffic. During the full freeway closure, northbound and southbound traffic will be directed to use the exit and entrance ramps at 26 Mile Road to avoid the demolition work. Both directions of M-53 will reopen to traffic by 5 a.m. on Monday, March 16.

Included in the project is the creation of a new ramp at the 23 Mile Road/M-53 interchange. The new ramp will allow for a right turn from westbound 23 Mile Road on to southbound M-53, eliminating the current left turn needed to access southbound M-53.

Road improvements include patching the existing concrete pavement and applying a new asphalt driving surface from 18 Mile Road in Sterling Heights to 27 Mile Road in Washington Township. During the pavement improvement phase, two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction via traffic shifts, utilizing shoulders as an additional lane.

The new 26 Mile Road overpass is scheduled to open to traffic in mid-September while the road portion of the project is expected to be completed in November.

MDOT says: Remember - In Ice and Snow, Take it Slow!