Macomb Township roadwork completed

By Erin McClary
C & G Staff Writer

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — The year-and-a-half-long project that’s consumed 23 Mile Road in Macomb Township from Hayes Road to east of Romeo Plank is finally complete and open to traffic in all directions.

Bob Hoepfner, highway engineer for the Road Commission of Macomb County, said all five lanes of the renovated 23 Mile, the bridge and Romeo Plank at the 23 Mile intersection are all open.

Before construction started, 23 Mile in that two-mile stretch was only two lanes. After the completion of the project, there are five lanes running from Mound Road to east of Romeo Plank.

Road Commission media representative Jim Tittsworth said the long-range plan is to widen 23 Mile to five lanes all the way to Fairchild in Chesterfield, which means 23 Mile eventually will be five lanes from Mound to I-94.

A traffic study in 2005 showed 20,000 drivers per day using 23 Mile Road from Hayes to east of Romeo Plank, and 17,800 using Romeo Plank from Hall Road (M-59) to 23 Mile. Hoepfner said the completed project would definitely ease traffic congestion in the area.

Macomb Township and Road Commission officials held an official dedication ceremony July 31 at the commencement of reopening. Duration of the entire project, which cost $9.2 million, was completed within the time frame the Road Commission had predicted.

Hoepfner said all signals are operating and painting is completed. Right now, crews are just putting on the final landscaping and sidewalk touches, and are finishing up with grading behind the curb.

“It works wonderfully,” said Hoepfner. “The bridge is very attractive; we’re very pleased.”

The new bridge, complete with a bike path, replaced a 50-year-old, two-lane bridge that was barely withstanding the heavy traffic volume of that area. The bridge directs traffic over the Middle Branch of the Clinton River and is built with a brick fascia, adding a New England look to the architecture of that area, said Tittsworth.

Later this year, the Road Commission will begin the preliminary construction of widening Romeo Plank from Hall Road to a half-mile north of 21 Mile Road.

Right now, crews are working on the massive widening project of Cass Avenue in Clinton Township, south of Hall Road, causing traffic backups in all directions. Alternate routes are advised.

You can reach Staff Writer Erin McClary at emcclary@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1118.