'Significant' step in M-5 roundabout construction starts

Crews are making headway on the $5-million roundabout construction project at the intersection of Pontiac Trail, M-5, and Martin Parkway in Commerce Township, which will be the largest roundabout to date in Oakland County once completed.

“We are currently getting the grading part done along with the aggregate base, and pretty soon will be putting the 10-inch thickness of concrete down on the roundabout itself and the approaches,” said Project Engineer Jerry Jehle.

“Putting down the concrete is a fairly significant step in the process,” said Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) Spokesperson Craig Bryson.

During the Pontiac Trail closure for the roundabout project, traffic is not permitted to travel from eastbound Pontiac Trail to southbound M-5 or from northbound M-5 to westbound Pontiac Trail. The detour route for traffic that would normally travel along Pontiac Trail between M-5 and Welch Road will be Welch Road to Maple Road to Haggerty Road and back to Pontiac Trail, and vice versa.

Local businesses remain open during the closure.

Pontiac Trail east of M-5 will remain open, and traffic will be permitted to travel from northbound M-5 to eastbound Pontiac Trail and from westbound Pontiac Trail to southbound M-5, but traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

“The aggregate grading, curb work and pouring of the concrete is the majority of the work and the process takes a while,” Jehle said.

The project work is expected to be completed around Nov. 1. The project is expected to help mitigate traffic congestion at the intersection of M-5, Pontiac Trail, and Martin Parkway.

Once finished, most of the roundabout will be two lanes, with three lanes at the north end.