The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will host two informational open houses this month on major upcoming local projects, including one on Tuesday, February 11 on the M-72/M-22 rebuild this year and one on Tuesday, February 18 on the US-31 rebuild in Interlochen taking place over 2025 and 2026.

The first open house will take place February 11 from 4pm to 6pm at the MDOT Traverse City Transportation Service Center at 2084 US-31 South (Suite B). MDOT will review plans for this year’s project to rebuild M-72 (Grandview Parkway) and M-22 (Bay Shore Drive) from US-31 (Division Street) in Traverse City to Cherry Bend Road in Elmwood Township. The project includes removing the concrete and composite (asphalt over concrete) pavements and restoring the surface condition and ride quality to good condition; drainage improvements, including new curb and gutter, storm sewer, and culverts; improvements for public transit stops; building a roundabout at the M-72 /M-22 intersection that incorporates the Bay Street intersection; Cherry Bend Road traffic signal upgrades; and improving driveway access management where possible.

Pedestrian hybrid beacon signals (sometimes known as High-Intensity Activated CrossWalK, or HAWK, signals) will be installed just west of the roundabout, just north of the roundabout, and at Discovery Pier. Pedestrian refuge islands will be built at crossings located at Elmwood Township Marina and between Carter Road and Rennie Road. Sidewalks and/or shared use paths will be replaced or extended along both sides of the roadway, with all ramps upgraded to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The project is currently scheduled to begin in mid-April, though an earlier start is possible if weather conditions allow. Work is scheduled to be completed in November. M-72 is currently closed between M-22 and the Tom's entrance for utility work ahead of the upcoming reconstruction.

MDOT will host another open house on February 18 from 4pm to 6pm at Blair Township Hall (2121 County Road 633 in Grawn). That event will focus on plans to rebuild a 7.8-mile section of US-31 from Sullivan Road in Green Lake Township in Grand Traverse County to Reynolds Road in Inland Township in Benzie County in 2025 and 2026. The planned work will include roadway rebuilding and widening to improve pavement condition and provide safety improvements with the addition of center left-turn lanes, widened paved shoulders and rumble strips. The South Long Lake Road/J. Maddy Parkway intersection will be rebuilt as a roundabout.

MDOT has released the following tentative construction schedule for the project:

> Spring/Summer 2025: Tree clearing and detour route improvements.
> Fall 2025: Unsuitable soil excavation and replacement at the Tonawanda Creek and Cedar Hedge Creek bridges. Detours will be required.
> Spring/Summer 2026: Rebuilding US-31 between Sullivan Road and west of J. Maddy Parkway/S. Long Lake Road, including building the roundabout. Detours will be required.
> Summer/Fall 2026: Rebuilding US-31 between west of J. Maddy Parkway/S. Long Lake Road to Reynolds Road. Detours will be required.