Michigan Construction Season Opens Across West Michigan as MDOT and City Projects Shut Down Regional Travel Corridors

Orange barrels and lane shifts are returning across west-central Michigan as multiple state and local road projects begin, bringing detours, delays and a slate of infrastructure upgrades.

According to John Richard, communications representative for the Michigan Department of Transportation Grand region, the agency is overseeing several projects across Mecosta, Osceola and Lake counties, ranging from bridge rehabilitation to full highway reconstruction, with work scheduled from April through mid-November and budgets totaling millions of dollars.

One of the most immediate impacts remains along U.S. 131 at Perry Avenue in Big Rapids, where a bridge damaged by a crash is undergoing repairs. The project includes partial superstructure replacement, meaning a key support beam must be replaced after a vehicle struck the bridge. The westbound lane and loop ramp are closed and expected to remain closed throughout construction. Lane closures on southbound U.S. 131 are also expected during the project.

The work is scheduled to run from July 27 through mid-October with an estimated cost of $395,000, according to Richard.

Farther north, a major reconstruction project on U.S. 10 in Evart represents the largest investment in the region this season. The $11 million project will rebuild approximately 1.5 miles of roadway between 95th Avenue and the Muskegon River. Construction is expected to continue through mid-November.

Drivers can expect lane closures, traffic shifts and occasional use of traffic regulators, with traffic sometimes alternating directions in a single lane, according to Richard.

In Osceola County, two bridge projects are scheduled to begin April 13, both affecting regional travel routes. On M-66 northeast of Evart, crews will perform joint replacement, substructure repairs and approach reconstruction on the Muskegon River bridge. The project also includes erosion control measures using large stones placed along the riverbank.

The work is expected to continue through November with a budget of $5 million, according to Richard.

Nearby, the M-115 bridge over the west branch of the Middle Branch River will undergo deck patching, guardrail installation and structural repairs. That project will require a full closure of M-115, with a posted detour using M-66 and M-61. Construction is scheduled from April 13 through late June at a cost of $570,000, according to Richard.

In Mecosta County, a resurfacing project on southbound U.S. 131 will stretch 7.3 miles from south of 13 Mile Road to north of 6 Mile Road. The $3 million project is scheduled from May 4 through mid-July. Drivers should expect single-lane closures along the southbound route.

Later in the season, sidewalk and roadway improvements are planned in Baldwin along M-37. The project includes concrete sidewalk construction, curb work and pavement markings from Third Street north to Prospect Street. Work is scheduled from Sept. 7 through mid-November with lane closures and traffic shifts expected, though impacts are anticipated to be minimal. The project budget is $382,000, according to Richard.

Richard said drivers should expect delays but can minimize risks by adjusting their driving habits in work zones.

"Don't tailgate, don't speed. Pay attention always, especially in work zones," Richard said. He said construction zones are designed with the expectation that drivers are alert and following traffic laws.

"You're not going to get there any faster if you're in a hurry. You're just going to create hazards," Richard said.

Richard pointed to longstanding crash data to underscore the risks, which he said reports 30,000 fatalities each year in the United States. According to NHTSA estimates, 39,345 people died in traffic crashes in 2024, a slight decrease from 40,901 in 2023.

"In Michigan, about 20 people die every week from traffic crashes. It is insane," Richard said.

He said most work zones function efficiently unless crashes occur, placing responsibility on drivers to remain attentive.

"Work zones operate pretty well unless there's a crash," Richard said.

State officials encourage drivers to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and monitor active construction zones through the state's online traffic tools as projects continue across the region.

Richard also noted that the M-66 bridge project over the Muskegon River in Osceola County is expected to create 42 jobs directly and indirectly during construction based on economic modeling. The project will improve the ride and extend the service life of the bridge once completed, according to MDOT.

During the project, M-66 will be closed and traffic will be detoured via U.S. 10 and M-115.

Richard said recent issues associated with flooding should not impact the M-66 bridge project, but MDOT will be monitoring the situation. Any impacts would be based on how much additional precipitation and runoff comes, according to Richard.