Parts of I-75 closed today at Nadeau for roundabout projects
I-75 closure at Nadeau Road / Exit 18
The bridge on I-75 at Nadeau Road in Frenchtown Charter Township is set to be demolished this weekend, closing parts of the highway.
The bridge demolition begins today and is expected to be completed by Monday, but the entire roundabouts project will not be completed until next year, according to a press release issued by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).
The work is part of the I-75/Newport Road interchange project, which includes rebuilding the Newport Road bridge over I-75 and the construction of roundabouts at each end of the bridge, along with rebuilding ramps at the interchange.
Earlier report: Work on new interchange, roundabouts on I-75 at Newport Road set for spring
It means:
Both directions of I-75 at Nadeau Road will be closed from 9 a.m. today until 5 a.m. Monday. Traffic will be detoured to the off and on ramps around the closed section of freeway.
The Nadeau Road Bridge will be closed from 7 a.m. Thursday until 3 p.m. Nov. 15. Traffic will be detour at Newport Road, N. Dixie Hwy. and I -75 to access east and west Nadeau over I-75.
The majority of work for this project is taking place in 2022-2023.
"Funding for this project is made possible by (Michigan Governor) 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," said MDOT spokesperson Aaron Jenkins. "The investment strategy is aimed at fixes that result in longer useful lives and improves the condition of the state's infrastructure."
As traffic is detoured around the demolition and freeway closure, MDOT officials advised motorists to seek alternate routes.
How does this affect nearby county roads?
Frenchtown Township Clerk Kyle Bryant said he is concerned with how this construction, coupled with the township's ongoing issues with its often-blocked railroad crossings, would affect residents.
The township board of trustees has been working with Mannik & Smith Group and multinational engineering and design firm, WSP USA, to develop and install an advanced warning system to notify residents when the railroad crossings are blocked. There are three crossings within a quarter-mile from one another on Sandy Creek, Hurd, and Fix Roads. Trains routinely block one or more of these crossings for extended periods of time throughout the day as they perform “switching” and train-building maneuvers on the Norfolk Southern and Canadian National- owned tracks.
Earlier report: Frenchtown exploring advance warning tech for railroad crossings
If more than one of the crossings is blocked at a time, motorists can become trapped in between them until the trains eventually move on. The blocking of the crossings also affects emergency crews, school buses, garbage trucks, people headed to Sterling State Park, and delivery services.
"In regards to traffic flow, I have major concerns on how this construction, paired with the trains constantly blocking Sandy Creek Rd. and Hurd Rd., is going to impact our township," Bryant said. "I envision travel headaches for our residents and worry about accessibility for our emergency services.
"I hope they move as quickly as possible and, ideally, the end result is a better bridge that won't need to be replaced for a very long time."
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Parts of I-75 closed today at Nadeau for roundabout projects
