GREILICKVILLE — Monday morning’s event was supposed to be a big celebratory groundbreaking, but the shoveling got canceled because of bad weather.
Still, it isn’t every day that a community embarks on a $25.8-million highway rebuild, so state and local dignitaries marked the moment by gathering in the picnic pavilion in Greilickville Harbor Park to speak of its significance.
“With any project like this it does take a community,” said Michigan Department of Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich at the event hosted by Elmwood Township. “We’re trying to talk with everybody we can to make sure that these projects really fit what the people need.”
Other speakers included: Elmwood Township Supervisor Jeff Shaw, State Rep. John Roth, Traverse City Mayor Amy Shamroe, Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART) CEO Julie Clark, and Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) Director of Communications and Development Eric Lingaur.
Preparations were already underway for the actual construction to begin on the 2.2-mile section of M-72 and M-22 from Division Street in Traverse City to Cherry Bend Road in Elmwood Township.
DTE Energy was working on electrical lines and two lanes were blocked on M-22 so that north- and southbound traffic was restricted to a single lane in each direction. Bay Street is closed at M-72 and and a detour is now in place to get around the construction.
The work is scheduled to be finished by mid-November.
The project includes removing the concrete and composite (asphalt over concrete) pavements and restoring the surface condition and ride quality to good condition; drainage improvements, including curb and gutter, storm sewer and culverts; replacing sidewalks and nonmotorized paths; improvements for local transit buses; upgrading sidewalk ramps to Americans with Disabilities Act standards; building a roundabout at the M-72/M-22 intersection that incorporates the Bay Street intersection; Cherry Bend Road traffic signal upgrades; and improving driveway access management where possible.
Initial work will include installation of a temporary high intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) pedestrian crossing signal north of the M-72/M-22 intersection, temporary roadway widening in the vicinity of the intersection and along the west side of M-22, traffic signal upgrades at Cherry Bend Road, as well as beginning construction of the new roundabout, and pavement removal on the westbound/northbound lanes.
Based on economic modeling, state officials said this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 246 jobs.