CLOSING MONDAY: Michigan’s US-127 North Between I-96 and I-496

Spring and summer are a double-edged sword in the state of Michigan. On the one hand, there's the shift from snow to sunshine; on the other hand, you have the beginning of Michigan's construction season. The 2024 Michigan Department of Transportation highway project list includes a significant delay for Lansing area commuters that begins on Monday, March 11th: the CLOSURE of US-127 north between I-96 and I-496.

Related: MDOT's Spring Lineup: Michigan's INTERSTATE Construction Projects

I spoke with MDOT's Aaron Jenkins, spokesperson for the Capital Region, who shared that though this will result in delays, this three-year project will ultimately improve safety and overall infrastructure. According to Jenkins, US-127 in Lansing will undergo a metamorphosis over the next two years.

MDOT Says US-127's Future in Lansing Looks Safer, Wider, and More Efficient

But (you knew there was a but coming) to completely rebuild this section of road, MDOT needs to shut down the northbound section of US-127 completely. This means that the northbound traffic will be rerouted into the southbound lane, just south of the I-96 interchange (see above picture), and return to the northbound lanes just before the Saginaw Street exit, north of the I-496 interchange (see below).

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There will be three lanes of traffic flowing US-127 south, with two lanes of northbound traffic for the morning commute and converting to two southbound lanes for the evening. This will be accomplished by utilizing a movable barrier system, which can quickly move the dividers to accommodate the shift in traffic flow.

MDOT is Closing Northbound Trowbridge and Jolly / Dunckel Exits During Construction

While the lane closures may sting, this one hurts. The size of the project necessitates closing northbound US-127 access to Dunckel Road through June 2024 and Trowbridge Road for the duration of the construction season. If you regularly drive in these areas or use these off-ramps daily, you know there's no easy or quick way around this (and if no one's sharing their shortcuts).

Related: US-127, M-20 Among MDOT's 7 US Highway-M Route Projects for 2024

Here's some good news: the northbound US-127 project should be wrapped up before 2025 arrives...which will bring on the closure of the southbound lane. The southbound shift will be easier then, as the rebuilt northbound lane will accommodate four lanes of traffic during next year's construction season.