Milford/Dawson intersection work begins this week

Milford Township, in conjunction with the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC), is expected this week to begin a widening and improvement project at the intersection of Milford and Dawson roads using Tri-party funds.

“(The project has) been on the books for nine years — that’s how long it’s taken to save up dollars for the project,” said Milford Supervisor Don Green.

The project includes adding center left-turn lanes on Milford Road.

“The project met criteria for Tri-party funding, but it was Milford Township’s impetus that got us to do this,” said RCOC Spokesperson Craig Bryson.

The township has long proposed improvements at the intersection, including storm drain improvements. According to Green, a center lane for left turns and acceleration/deceleration lanes on the east and west sides of the intersection were required by the county.

“We wanted to pave it off Milford Road so there would be no gravel washout, but to improve the intersection they require left-turn and accel/decel lanes,” Green said.

Project cost is estimated at $700,000. The township board previously approved the allocation of 2011 Tri-party funds toward the cost of the project.

Tri-party funding is made up of equal annual contributions from the RCOC, the Oakland County general government and participating communities. Tri-party allocations are based on the miles of roadway in a participating community, and the number of accidents that occur on those roads on an annual basis. Most communities can accumulate Tri-party funds over a number of years for use on larger projects.

Both Milford and Dawson roads will remain open in both directions at all times throughout the project, but there will be lane closures on Milford and, at times, the road will be reduced to one lane between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays with traffic directed by flaggers.

The project is expected to be completed by Oct. 28.