Bridge Demolitions Close Local Roads Under I-75 In Oakland County

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — Construction season is upon us in Michigan and the state is currently focusing on bridges.

The Michigan Department of Transportation's (MDOT) I-75 modernization project second segment takes another step forward with bridge demolitions starting Friday night. Contracting crews will be closing both directions of 14 Mile and Long Lake roads under I-75 for bridge demolition on the two structures that carry northbound I-75 over the local roads.

Fast facts:

• - Segment 2 of the I-75 modernization project involves improving 18 bridges over a two-year period.
• - Starting Friday night, crews will be demolishing the bridges that carry northbound I-75 over 14 Mile and Long Lake roads.
• - Both local roads will reopen to traffic by 5 a.m. Monday, April 8.

Currently, both directions of I-75 have two lanes open with all traffic using the southbound side of the freeway, separated by a temporary concrete barrier. This configuration will allow for the northbound lanes and bridges to be reconstructed this year and is expected to remain in place until late November.

RELATED: See the conditions of Metro Detroit's bridges here

Starting at 10 p.m. Friday, both directions of 14 Mile Road will be closed under I-75. Posted detours use John R. Road, Stephenson Highway, Maple Road and Rochester Road in both directions. Both directions of 14 Mile Road will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, April 8.

Further north, both directions of Long Lake Road will close under I-75 beginning at 10 p.m. on Friday. Posted detours use Livernois, Big Beaver, and Crooks roads in each direction. Both directions of Long Lake Road will reopen to traffic by 5 a.m. Monday, April 8.

This $224 million project involves reconstructing more than 8 miles of pavement, improving 18 structures, upgrading drainage, constructing community-developed aesthetics and federally approved noise walls, and continuing construction of the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes between Coolidge Highway and 13 Mile Road.

The entire I-75 modernization project involves rebuilding approximately 18 miles of pavement, replacing bridges, adding an HOV lane in each direction, and bringing the freeway up to current design standards from north of M-102 (Eight Mile Road) to South Boulevard.

Follow I-75 modernization progress on the web at www.Modernize75.com, or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Modernize75 or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Modernize75.