MDOT selects design format for I-75 interchange project in Gaylord
GAYLORD — The Michigan Department of Transportation wants to replace the aging I-75 interchange over M-32 in Gaylord, and the agency has selected the diverging diamond interchange (DDI) design for the project.
"Choosing the DDI design was guided by our meetings with the public and local advisory committee members, as well as our design consultants," said Chelsea Kramer, cost and scheduling engineer for MDOT's Gaylord Transportation Service Center and the interchange project manager, in a statement. "This design had support from the community and provides the best balance of improvements to the movement of traffic, as well as safety and convenience for all users, drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians."
MDOT had considered three main options: replacing the current bridges generally in the current configuration but with other improvements at the interchange, a DDI, or a single-point urban interchange.
MDOT spokesman James Lake said "We saw roughly similar (public) support for all three of the design choices we’ve been considering most recently, so there wasn’t a clear favorite from the community members we heard from."
"In conversations at public meetings and separately, residents shared different reasons why they supported the different options," he said. While we did hear opposition to leaving the interchange in the current configuration and an early design option that would have included roundabouts, what we heard about the other options was generally support for that individual’s preference. When combined with our engineering review, and the anticipated benefits for traffic flow and safety, the DDI emerged as the best option."
Beginning in 2026, MDOT plans to replace the northbound and southbound I-75 bridges over M-32 in Gaylord and rebuild M-32 between Edelweiss Village Parkway/Meecher Road and Wisconsin Avenue. These bridges were built in 1961, are currently in poor condition and need to be replaced.
MDOT officials said a DDI is an alternative interchange that improves safety, increases traffic flow and can reduce construction costs. They have been successfully implemented at several locations throughout Michigan in recent years, helping reduce crashes and congestion.
Subscribe Check out our latest offers and read the local news that matters to you
To navigate a DDI, drivers follow signs, signals and pavement markings to cross to the left side of the roadway after the first set of traffic signals. Vehicles going straight proceed through a second set of traffic signals and cross back to the right side of the road. All left turns onto the freeway are free flowing. MDOT has posted a video showing how drivers navigate the I-96/Cascade Road DDI in Grand Rapids Township in Kent County.
MDOT has created a project website with information about the I-75/M-32 interchange project. The project is currently expected to begin in 2026 and be completed in 2027. Current estimates put the construction investment at $55 million.
MDOT will schedule a public meeting on the project when the DDI design is substantially complete, and another before construction begins to present a firmer schedule and plans to maintain traffic.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: MDOT selects design format for I-75 interchange project in Gaylord
