As it turns out, the federal government will pay for the bulk of work undertaken by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to reconstruct a 2.2-mile stretch of state highway linking Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties.
Included in the design is construction of a roundabout at the busiest intersection in the county where M-72 splits from M-22 in Greilickville.
MDOT announced this week that it will receive $14.4 million from the Rural Surface Transportation Grant program. The project, which has been years in planning, now has a $19 million price tag with work scheduled during the 2025 construction season.
MDOT director Bradley C. Wieferich said drivers from throughout the state will benefi t.
“This project is an important one to not only the greater Traverse City area residents and commuters as this area continues to grow, but also for the movement of goods and tourism traffic coming to the region from throughout Michigan and beyond,” he said.
MDOT plans to rebuild sections of M-22 and Grandview Parkway starting at Division Street in Traverse City. In Leelanau County, pedestrian islands will be installed to allow better access to Grand Traverse Bay, a 10-foot multi-use path will be constructed on the east side of M-22 to Cherry Bend Road, and a new sidewalk will be built along the same stretch on the west side of the state highway. Also, the traffic signal at Cherry Bend Road will be upgraded.
The two-lane roundabout is expected to cut into traffic backups that develop on M-22 during peak usage.
The federal road grant program is keyed toward expanding surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas.
