GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Motorists who have been missing the convenience of M-6 won’t have to wait much longer to get that shortened commute back. The Michigan Department of Transportation says reconstruction on the eastbound lanes is ahead of schedule and will be ready Thursday, Sept. 14.
The $9.5 million dollar project started in July, and crews have been busy paving the way for a smoother ride on what’s been one of West Michigan’s biggest disappointments when it comes to highways.
But Michigan isn't alone in dealing with problems with deteriorating concrete, said MDOT spokesperson John Richard. "This is an issue with many of the Midwestern freeze-thaw states," he said. A nine-state pool study identified many common factors: "The drainage, the salt plays an issue, many theories why M-6 failed."
“We just got an update from the contractor and things are looking good,” says Richard. “They are done paving on eastbound [M-6], so they have to do pavement markings, signage, place some gravel on the shoulders and do the rumble strips.”
"They should be done sometime on Thursday," he said. "When that thing opened in 2004, it was very welcomed by the motorists, so it will be very nice to have that back for everybody."
A three-mile stretch of M-6 has been shut down between I-196 and Wilson Avenue. Crews “ripped out the old concrete, which was not performing very well, and they put down asphalt,” said Richard.
The westbound lanes should be completed in November.
