The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has been awarded a $14.4 million federal grant toward the planned rebuilding of M-72/M-22 in Traverse City and Elmwood Township in 2025.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced that MDOT will receive a $14.4 million Rural Surface Transportation Grant under the Multimodal Discretionary Grants Program (MPDG) for the project. MDOT plans to rebuild a 2.2-mile section of M-72 (Grandview Parkway) from Division Street in Traverse City and M-22 (Bay Shore Drive) to Cherry Bend Road in Elmwood Township in 2025.

The roughly $19 million project includes building a roundabout at the M-72/M-22 intersection; removing the concrete and composite (asphalt over concrete) pavements and restoring the surface condition and ride quality to good condition; drainage improvements, including curb and gutter, storm sewer, and culverts; replacing sidewalks and nonmotorized paths; upgrading sidewalk ramp to Americans with Disabilities Act standards; upgrading Cherry Bend Road traffic signals; and improving driveway access management where possible.

"This project is an important one to not only the greater Traverse City area residents and commuters as this area continues to grow, but also for the movement of goods and tourism traffic coming to the region from throughout Michigan and beyond," said State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich, P.E. "MDOT is grateful that importance is recognized by the USDOT, and that this funding will ensure this project can be completed as planned."

Another $2 million in grant funding is also expected to come to the project through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) to support nonmotorized aspects of the work. MDOT is continuing to refine the project design with public input, with plan expected to be finalized by mid-2024. The project will go out to bid next fall. Construction is planned to start in spring 2025, with work spanning most of the construction season.