Hall Road reconstruction in Macomb County set to start

Clinton Township — A $60 million reconstruction project of Hall Road, M-59, in Macomb County is set to start as early as this week and motorists can expect longer commutes and lane closures, officials said Tuesday.

The Michigan Department of Transportation said the first phase of the two-year project will run through October and cover a stretch of M-59 between M-53 to Garfield. The second phase will begin next spring and run through October 2018 between Garfield and Romeo Plank.

The plan calls for replacing all concrete with new asphalt, upgrading ramps and sidewalks, new traffic signals and signs, and other aesthetic improvements. A fourth lane on both sides of M-59 between Garfield and Romeo Plank is also planned.

During construction, three lanes will remain open in each direction east of M-53 to Romeo Plank from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Overnight, two lanes will be open.

The biggest impact on motorists will be the traffic delays, MDOT construction engineer Jim Petronski said.

“There are 90,000 cars that use this roadway a day so we are cognizant of the fact that there may be a slow down,” Petronski said. “We’re not anticipating 30-40 minute delays.”

MDOT spokeswoman Diane Cross said it’s been nearly a decade since Hall underwent major construction. The road was built about 25 years ago.

Petronski, who met Tuesday with some Hall Road business owners, said MDOT officials will ensure traffic access to the businesses.

MDOT officials have visited most of the 400 businesses in the corridor to discuss the project, Petronski said, adding he also planned to meet with police and fire officials this week.

John Tobin, district manager for the National Coney Island locations on Hall and Utica Park, said the M-59 project is long overdue.

“The road is horrible,” said Tobin, who plans to offer a 15 percent discount to construction workers during the project. “There’s a tremendous amount of potholes.”

nterry@detroitnews.com

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Twitter: @NicquelTerry