AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Drivers who commute on I-75 and use the University drive exit will be able to use it once again.
University drive in Auburn Hills was closed for several months for a long -term construction project.
According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, this was part of a $24 million project to reconstruct the interchange.
Crews closed the road between Opdyke and Cross Creek to start demolishing the bridge.
MDOT will hold a small small ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m.
Speakers include MDOT's Director, Kirk Steudle, Auburn Hills Mayor, Kevin McDaniel, and Bruce Brickman of General Development.
This is Michigan's first Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI). It's part of a $24 million dollar reconstruction of the interchange of I-75 and University Drive.
This project included the reconstruction of University Drive between Cross Creek and Opdyke Road, including the bridge over I-75.
All interchange ramps were reconstructed and the construction of a ramp from Chrysler Drive to north I-75. A multi-use path, new signs, new traffic signals, decorative lighting and landscaping are also part of the project.
The DDI will eliminate loop ramps, reduce conflict points and delays, improve pedestrian safety, produce lower traffic speeds, shorter traffic signal cycles at intersections and provide increased acceleration distance for University Drive traffic entering southbound I-75.
In January 2014, a routine bridge inspection discovered cracks in support beams which required the closure of University Drive bridge for approximately a week while temporary supports were installed until this reconstruction.
The interchange project began in Spring 2015 with the University Drive bridge demolition starting on June 23, 2015. The bridge is expected to be reopened to traffic approximately November 10, 2015. Restoration and landscaping work will be performed in Spring of 2016.
The funding for this interchange project came from multiple sources, including $4 million dollars from the City of Auburn Hills.