Construction on US127 in Lansing to Resume

Here we go slow again.

The next phase of the widening project on U.S. 127 in Lansing will result in access to the southbound lanes being limited for much of 2025. Motorists at the intersection of Dunckel Road and U.S. 127 were greeted with this sign on February 28. in Lansing (Photos via Canva and JR, Townsquare Media Lansing)

Remember how northbound U.S. 127 in Lansing was closed for most of 2024 between I-96 and I-496 as construction crews widened that stretch of highway to three lanes? Yeah, now it's the southbound side's turn.

When Is Construction on Southbound U.S. 127 Set to Begin in Lansing?

Roads & Bridges quotes MDOT's Trevor Block as stating that "crews are expected to start work March 3 and have traffic controls in place by March 17."

That means that by St. Patrick's Day, your typical commute may be adversely affected once again.

Why This Round of Construction on U.S. 127 May Not Be So Bad

Have you gotten used to the new and improved 3-lane version of northbound U.S. 127 in that area? Pretty comfy, right?

Get our free mobile app

While the southbound lanes are closed, all U.S. 127 traffic will need to be shifted onto that newly constructed side of the highway. However, unlike last time, there won't be a zipper barrier - two lanes for northbound and two lanes for southbound should be available throughout the project.

How Will Access to U.S. 127 Be Affected?

MDOT says between March 3 and March 17, prep work will require quite a few intermittent lane and ramp closures so that crews can mark pavement and install the temporary concrete barriers.

Starting March 18,^"both directions of U.S. 127 traffic will be shifted to the northbound side of the freeway, with northbound and southbound traffic separated by a concrete barrier," according to a release from MDOT.

This map from MDOT shows how access to and from U.S. 127 will be affected in Lansing during the 2025 phase of construction. (Photo via michigan.gov)

These ramps will be closed for the duration of the 2025 construction project, which is expected to wrap up before Thanksgiving:

Northbound U.S. 127 to westbound I-496
Eastbound I-496 to Trowbridge Road
Southbound U.S. 127 to Trowbridge Road
Southbound U.S. 127 to Jolly Road/Dunckel Road
Trowbridge Road to southbound U.S. 127
Kalamazoo Street/Howard Street to southbound U.S. 127

These ramps will also be closed and detoured at the beginning of the project, but crews are hopeful they can be re-opened by early summer:

Westbound I-96 to southbound U.S. 127
Southbound U.S. 127 to westbound I-96
Southbound U.S. 127 to eastbound I-96
Dunckel Road to southbound U.S. 127

What's Next for U.S. 127?

After this phase of construction is completed - again, hopefully by Thanksgiving 2025 - the state will turn its focus in 2026 to revamping U.S. 127 between just south of Lake Lansing Road to the highway's intersection with I-69.

More details about MDOT's overall plans for U.S. 127 can be found here.

The 5 Deadliest Roads in the State of Michigan

MoneyGeek.com, using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Safety Administration (NHTSA), Federal Highway Administration (FHA), and the Michigan State Police (MSP) to determine which of Michigan's transportation corridors experience the most fatal accidents. Here's a look at MoneyGeek's 5 Deadliest Roads in the State of Michigan.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

Every Interstate Highway in Michigan Has Quirks - Here They Are

Roads are intended to get you from here to there. And very few people think about the quirks of our interstate highway system. With being as long and as varied as it is, there is bound to be an oddity or two - and in fact, you can likely find a quirk with every interstate in Michigan. We think we have.

Gallery Credit: Eric Meier

Filed Under: road construction, U.S. 127

Categories: Articles