National Work Zone Memorial returning to
Clare Welcome Center during July 4 holiday

PLEASANT, Mich. – For the second year in a row, the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Clare Welcome Center will host the National Work Zone Memorial over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. This special memorial honors the more than 1,600 lives of road workers, motorists, pedestrians, law enforcement, public safety officials, and children who have been killed in work zone crashes throughout the United States.

Millions of Michigan drivers are expected to get behind the wheel this summer, with July 4 being one of the busiest travel periods. As traffic volumes increase on Michigan roads, MDOT wants to remind all road users to slow down and drive safely, especially when approaching work zones.

Work zone safety remains a top priority for MDOT, and not just for workers but also for the road users who travel through work zones. Preliminary numbers indicate that in 2022, Michigan work zones had 16 fatalities, 862 injuries, and nearly 4,400 total crashes. Nationwide, the number of work zone fatalities is estimated at more than 950.

Unveiled in 2002 by the American Traffic Safety Services (ATSS) Foundation, the National Work Zone Memorial is a living tribute to the memory of the lives lost in work zones. As the memorial travels throughout the United States, it raises awareness for work zone safety and safe driving practices by displaying the names of those killed in work zone crashes. The memorial is 20 feet wide and stands 7 feet tall and is available to anyone interested in increasing work zone safety awareness. A new virtual memorial is also available to use at no cost.

Costs for hosting the memorial June 28-July 10 at the Clare Welcome Center are sponsored by MDOT and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA).

Media Inquiries:
Chuck Bergmann
MDOT Work Zone Specialist
517-388-5228
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     MEDIA CONTACT

June 7, 2023                                                                            Diane Cross

                                                                  [email protected]

Revive275 project: Lane and ramp closures this weekend for traffic shift at I-96/M-14 interchange in Wayne County

 LIVONIA/PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, Mich. ­– The I-275 interchange with I-96/M-14 will have a traffic shift affecting freeway and ramp traffic.

Beginning 6 a.m. Friday, June 9, the eastbound M-14 ramp to northbound I-275 will be closed through the end of July. Traffic will be detoured via eastbound M-14/I-96 to Farmington Road, then westbound I-96/M-14 to northbound I-275.

From 6 a.m. Friday, June 9, to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 11, northbound I-275 will have one lane open from Ann Arbor Road to 5 Mile Road to allow crews to shift barrier wall. Southbound I-275 will have one lane open from M-14 to Ann Arbor Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday for moving barrier wall as well.

Drivers are reminded that I-275/M-153 (Ford Road) interchange ramp closures remain in place through late July.

Ramps closures at the I-275/I-94 interchange also remain in effect through early July to allow for bridge, ramp, and freeway work, with the following detours:

• Northbound I-275 traffic heading for eastbound or westbound I-94 are being detoured north to westbound Ecorse Road, then southbound I-275 to eastbound or westbound I-94.
• Eastbound and westbound I-94 traffic heading for northbound I-275 are being detoured via southbound I-275, then eastbound Eureka Road to northbound I-275.

This work is part of the Revive275 project. Based on economic modeling, this $270 million investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 3,429 jobs. Project information can be found at Revive275.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     MEDIA CONTACT

June 1, 2023                                                                            Diane Cross

                                                                  [email protected]

I-696 ‘Restore the Reuther’ project closing multiple ramps for work in Oakland County

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. ­– The I-696 Restore the Reuther Rebuilding Michigan project is beginning reconstruction of the major freeway interchange ramps.

Beginning 8 p.m., Friday, June 2 through 5 a.m., Monday, June 5, the eastbound I-696 ramp to southbound M-10 will be closed for ramp reconstruction work.

Additionally, beginning at 5 a.m., Saturday, June 3 through 8 a.m., Sunday, June 4 the ramps from M-5 and northbound I-275 to eastbound I-696 will be closed for ramp reconstruction work.

Detours:

• Eastbound I-696 ramp to southbound M-10 will use eastbound M-5 to eastbound M-102 (8 Mile Road) to northbound US-24 (Telegraph Road) to M-10.

• Northbound I-275 ramp and all M-5 ramps to eastbound I-696, use eastbound M-5 to eastbound M-102 (8 Mile Road) to northbound US-24 (Telegraph Road), then to eastbound I-696.

Project information:

This $275 million project includes rebuilding the roadway from the base up, including storm sewer replacement work, and rebuilding ramps at Orchard Lake Road, American Drive, Franklin Road, and US-24 (Telegraph Road).

During the 2023 construction season, eastbound I-696 is being rebuilt from I-275 to east of US-24 (Telegraph Road). Westbound lanes will be rebuilt in 2024. Project details can be found at DrivingOakland.com.

Funding for this project is made possible by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan program to rebuild the state highways and bridges that are critical to the state’s economy and carry the most traffic. The investment strategy is aimed at fixes that result in longer useful lives and improve the condition of the state’s infrastructure.

Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 3,500 jobs.