MDOT plan to ease congestion in Ann Arbor/ Brighton area would open US-23 shoulder to traffic

BRIGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation has a plan to make the drive easier for commuters along the busy US-23 corridor in the Ann Arbor/Brighton area.

MDOT is studying opening up the left shoulder as a traffic lane heading southbound to handle all the southbound traffic from Brighton to Ann Arbor during the morning rush hour. Then, in the afternoon, opening up the shoulder in the northbound lanes to give drivers three lanes on the way home. Overhead lane control signs will let drivers know when the system is active.

Read: MDOT assessment for proposed US-23 improvements

The shoulder lanes are part of a bigger improvement project that is slated to begin in Fall 2016:

• Repair pavement along US-23 between Silver Lake Road and M-14, as well as upgrading the median shoulder on US-23 between M-14 and M-36 (9 Mile Road)
• Replace bridges at 6 Mile Road, 8 Mile Road and N. Territorial Road
• Widen bridges at Barker Road and the railroad bridge
• Repair bridges at Joy Road and Warren Road
• Upgrade ramps at N. Territorial Road, 6 Mile Road, 8 Mile Road and M-36

A public hearing is set for Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Northfield Township Hall, 8350 Main St., Suite A, Whitmore Lake.

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