The Michigan Department of Transportation announced on April 7 that it will start a major reconstruction project on M-46 (Apple Avenue) in Muskegon beginning Wednesday, April 15. The project will rebuild more than two miles of roadway from Muskegon Avenue to Home Street and is expected to be completed by late November.
This work aims to improve safety and extend the life of the corridor for both motorists and pedestrians. The department said the $18.6 million investment includes new asphalt surfacing, lane reconfiguration, storm sewer upgrades, concrete curbs and gutters, sidewalks, sanitary sewer improvements, and a new water main. Traffic calming measures such as converting four lanes into three with a dedicated left-turn lane are also planned.
According to MDOT, through-traffic will be detoured during construction while local traffic and business access will be maintained using lane closures. There will also be short-term full closures at intersections throughout the project’s duration. Based on economic modeling provided by MDOT, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support about 157 jobs.
The City of Muskegon has partnered with MDOT to create an informational website about the project for residents seeking updates or details.
The Michigan Department of Transportation manages nearly 10,000 miles of state highways as well as more than 4,800 bridges and other infrastructure according to the official website. The agency has over 2,800 employees across seven regions statewide according to the official website. Its mission focuses on serving people and communities through transportation efforts according to the official website.
Leadership at MDOT includes a director along with key executives such as chief administrative officer and chief operations officer according to the official website. The department’s responsibilities include maintaining highways like M-46 as well as overseeing bridges, rail services, public transit programs, aviation initiatives, non-motorized trails, and safety standards across Michigan according to the official website.
