Michigan Launches $353M Highway Repair Project in Wayne County Through 2029

The Michigan Department of Transportation will kick off a $353 million rebuild of 12.7 miles of Interstate 94 between Romulus and Dearborn in late February, as per MLive. The Restore I-94 effort is expected to support 2,986 jobs and wrap up by mid-2029.

Crews plan to start prep activities, such as placing signs and barrels, during the first week of February if weather permits. Clearing and prep activities on shoulders and medians should begin in late February. Work on the road itself starts in March, according to MLive.

Six cities will see impacts: Romulus, Taylor, Allen Park, Dearborn Heights, Melvindale, and Dearborn. This stretch extends from east of I-275 to west of US-12, which locals know as Michigan Avenue.

One to two lanes should remain open in each direction throughout most of the work. Many ramps will close. Access to the airport and Gate 10 at the Ford Rouge Plant will stay open, according to MLive.

The scope covers concrete patching, bridge fixes, ramp updates, road realignment, and building a new interchange at Ecorse Road to switch it from a left-side entrance to a right-side entrance, said MDOT spokesperson Diane Cross, as shared by Mlive. Workers will also improve lighting, install cable barriers, and upgrade the Intelligent Transportation System.

Cross said this differs from the I-696 project in Oakland County. That one involved massive demolition and reconstruction. This one tackles smaller fixes across many parts of the highway.

Five segments make up the plan: I-94 from Wayne Road to Middlebelt Road, Middlebelt Road to Beech Daly Road, Beech Daly Road to Pelham Road, Pelham Road to Oakwood Boulevard, and the I-94/Schaefer Road Interchange at the Ford Rouge Plant Gate 10 entrance. Signs and barrels go out first, then crews clear medians and build a crossover zone, according to Click on Detroit.

MDOT is hosting two meetings about the work. The first runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3 at the Allen Park Department of Public Services Conference room, 24000 W. Outer Drive. Another session takes place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 at Taylor City Hall, 23555 Goddard Road. These facts were shared by Click on Detroit

Anyone needing accommodations for the meetings should contact Orlando Curry at 517-241-7462 or CurryO@Michigan.gov, preferably at least five business days before the scheduled meeting. More details can be found at restore94.com.