Orange barrels are out as a big road construction project in St. Clair County gets underway. The Michigan Department of Transportation is putting major investment into fixing the pavement on both I-69 and M-19 near the village of Emmett.
The pavement on I-69 and M-19 has been deteriorating and in need of repair. The state is putting $38 million into the project, which is expected to last until November of 2022.
The roadwork will stretch from Miller Road to I-69, covering six miles, and will also take care of the slice of M-19 from I-69 to Burt Road.
MDOT says there will be single-lane closures and traffic shifts. The ramp at Riley Center Road will be affected intermittently throughout the project and M-19 traffic will be maintained with a temporary signal.
The work is being done to address the impact on commerce, tourism, and commuter traffic on the heavily traveled roads. I-69 is part of the International Trade Corridor.
The road work is part of the Rebuilding Michigan program which uses bond sales to finance the statewide infrastructure initiative.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
