LANSING, MI (WHTC) – The roughest stretch of state trunk road in West Michigan, if not all of Michigan, will be addressed promptly.
Michigan Department of Transportation Grand Region officials announced on Friday that a “long-distressed” three-mile section of pavement near the western end of M-6 will be repaired this summer, not in 2018, as originally planned. Spokesman John Richard explained, “A great deal of maintenance work was required this past fall to seal up this pavement prior to winter, yet with the erratic weather and temperature fluctuating above and below freezing, combined with high amounts of precipitation in January and February, (meant that) MDOT would have to continue to commit maintenance resources to pavement that would soon be replaced.”
The freeway had opened about a year ahead of its scheduled 2005 debut, but has been subject to rapid deterioration due to a lack at that time of a key ingredient in the concrete used for the roadway. A warranty with the contractor on the pavement expired more than five years ago, and MDOT said last year that it would cost about 10 million dollars for removing the old concrete and installing new pavement for this stretch.
Work on the stretch between Wilson Avenue and Jackson Street will be done in mid to late summer, but Richard didn’t disclose any other details of the project, including a specific timetable and how traffic will be maintained. Those matters are expected to be announced later this spring.
