$4M rehab work on M-59 to start later this month

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced that crews are ready to break ground as soon as Monday, Aug. 15 on a $4 million capital rehabilitation project on M-59 that extends through White Lake and Highland townships.

MDOT representatives along with White Lake Township administration officially announced the scope of the project on Monday, Aug. 1 at a press conference at the White Lake Township offices to recognize the efforts of state Sen. Mike Kowall (R-Commerce, Highland, Milford, Walled Lake, Wixom, Wolverine Lake, White Lake, Orchard Lake, West Bloomfield) and his wife, state Rep. Eileen Kowall (R-Highland, White Lake).

“This $4 million investment will promote safety and mobility to ensure M-59 is a viable corridor, but a project of this magnitude is not possible without cooperation,” said Larry Young, Port Huron Transportation Service Center Manager. “It’s about solving problems as a team and understanding each other’s needs to do a project like this. The Kowalls have also proven to be invaluable.”

The project will strip away and reconstruct more than 9 miles of M-59 between Pontiac Lake and Milford roads. Work is expected to be completed before the Thanksgiving holiday, or approximately Nov. 15.

MDOT has hired Cadillac Asphalt as the contractor for the project.

M-59 is a main artery in the area where about 30,000 motorists drive the corridor on a daily basis.

“It’s the right fix at the right time on the right road,” said MDOT Director Kirk Steudle. “It takes all levels of government to take care of the economic backbone of the state, our infrastructure.”

Apart from resurfacing more than 9 miles of M-59, there will be Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades to sidewalk ramps and pedestrian signals at Milford, Duck Lake, Bogie Lake, Porter, Elizabeth Lake, Teggerdine, Fisk and Pontiac Lake roads.

Highland Road will not be closed at any time during the project. Single-lane closures will be restricted to weekday and weekend nights between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. However, weekend lane closures will be minimized in central business districts.

Intermittent lane closures may be necessary for ADA upgrades, but will not occur weekdays between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. or between 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Cross streets at signalized intersections will reman open to through-traffic unless active work is taking place. Local streets at non-signalized intersections and driveways may be closed to traffic when active work is taking place and alternate access is available.

Reasonable pedestrian detours will be maintained throughout the corridor.

“We’re happy to see the project going forward with no interruption to residents and businesses,” Eileen Kowall said.

Steudle noted the long-term benefits to infrastructure of fixing the road now; otherwise it would cost more later.

“This capital preventative maintenance repair is like an oil change on a car — this piece of M-59 is getting an oil change to keep it in good condition,” Steudle said. “It’s the right time to do this project and we’ll be paying significantly less. Once it’s done it will provide a nice smooth road to connect business.”

Benefits include an additional 5-10 year pavement life of the roadway and improved pedestrian access, mobility and safety.