After several years of study, public feedback, and multiple considerations, the Michigan Department of Transportation says the talk is done and the work will get underway for reconstruction of the interchange of US-12 and M-51 in Niles Township.
MDOT announced this morning that after years of planning and public and stakeholder meetings, the department has completed the study of the reconstruction of the US-12/M-51 interchange and the US-12/3rd Street intersection in Niles Township, and will begin prep work for the actual reconstruction work.
Design of the $26 million project has started with new considerations based on feedback from local leaders, stakeholders and residents. Indirect left turns, or “Michigan Lefts,” will replace the current US-12 intersections with 3rd Street and M-51.
Construction is expected to start in 2023. MDOT will remove existing bridges, reconstruct 1 mile of US-12, and resurface 2.5 miles of M-51.
Kyle Rudlaff is Project Manager for MDOT. He says, “Our meetings with the public and stakeholders revealed the community had more concerns about congestion and crashes at the 3rd Street intersection than at M-51,” and adds, “The interactive approach used in this study led us to look at more than just the interchange and address the community’s highest priorities while still accomplishing our original goals. This project will improve the US-12 corridor and specifically address congestion and crashes at the 3rd Street intersection well into the future.”
The final report is posted to the study website and can be reached at the link below:
https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9621_11058-470518–,00.html
