The Michigan Department of Transportation’s project to reconstruct 8.5 miles of I-94 in Berrien County between Stevensville and Benton Harbor is about to enter its final year.
MDOT spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells us the barrels went out Monday and lane shifts will begin next week as crews prepare for the reconstruction of the eastbound side of the highway.
“We are finishing this project, fingers crossed, rebuilding the eastbound side of I-94 from Washington Avenue to Britain Avenue,” Schirripa said. “Folks will remember last year we did the westbound side. The year prior was all that work around the highway exit near Stevensville. So we are in the final throes, this is the last phase.”
Schirripa says this $204 million investment shows how important I-94 is to the state’s economy.
“I-94 is one of the most heavily traveled corridors in the state. Between I-94 and I-75, they get the heaviest traffic. And as long as people keep driving on them in those volumes, we’re going to have to keep investing in it to keep it in good shape. So a few years ago, we had the big project with the US-31 connection. We also did some expansion in 94 at that time, moved on to this project. There will be others, there will be more. So with I-94 running through Berrien County, Berrien County is going to see probably a lot of attention on I-94 in the coming years, and obviously there are other trunk lines we have to address too, but I-94 is a very critical corridor, not just for our region, but nationally. More than 25% of all commercial traffic passes through Michigan and I-94 plays a big part of that.”
Schirripa says drivers should know there will be two lanes of travel in each direction throughout the duration of this year’s work, and it will involve some ramp and road closures.
“Pipestone Road will likely have some closures because we’re building a new bridge there. That’s the big one, Pipestone. Mid to late March, we’ll begin that bridge demolition, so Pipestone Road will be closed and detoured around 94.”
Schirripa says the ramps at Niles Road, M-139, and Pipestone Road to eastbound I-94 will be closed throughout construction. So will the eastbound ramp from I-94 to Napier Avenue.
Schirripa thanked drivers for their patience throughout this rebuild, saying MDOT will be out of the way come fall.
“A three-year project is a long haul, so it’s a big ask of anyone. Folks have been really patient with us and we appreciate it. Folks have been really patient with us and we appreciate it. Give us one more year and we’ll be done and out of the way with this one.”
