Pedestrian overpass should be done by the July 4 holiday

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is constructing a new pedestrian overpass spanning Telegraph Road and connecting with the Clinton River Trail on each side so pedestrians can cross the major north-south thoroughfare safely.

The project is located at the border of Pontiac and Sylvan Lake, north of Orchard Lake Road and just south of the Waterford Township border, where the Clinton River Trail intersects with Telegraph Road.

The city of Pontiac was awarded $2 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars to fund the project.

“The project will ensure walkers, joggers and bicyclists won’t have to cross Telegraph Road to enjoy the nature trail,” said MDOT Spokesperson Rob Morosi.

Due to space restrictions during construction, MDOT will be closing lanes in each direction on Telegraph Road for a few weeks once the project begins. Two lanes on southbound Telegraph will close after 10 a.m. and northbound lanes will close before 3 p.m.

“I don’t anticipate the closure being in place for more than a couple weeks,” Morosi said. “Once the abutment is poured and built on the foundation, then it will be built up from the top, including the walking deck.”

Once the project starts, it will be necessary to close Telegraph Road completely in the project area for two Saturdays to install steel beams and bring in heavy machinery.

“One Saturday will be designated in April for northbound and another for southbound between the hours of 6 a.m. and 3 p.m.,” Morosi said.

At that time, MDOT will detour traffic to Old Telegraph Road.

The project is expected to start sometime by end of March or early April. The target date for completion is by the July 4 holiday.