MDOT Plans Major Overhaul for Busy Delta Township Stretch

Michiganders are no strangers to road work, particularly when it comes to the condition of the roads. I'm sure we've all had more than our fair share of those moments when you hit a pothole bad enough that you apologize to your car.

But what happens when construction needs to happen for other reasons? Delta Township is about to learn.

MDOT Plans Roadwork for Delta Township

If you've ever driven along West Saginaw Highway in Delta Township near the I-96/I-69 interchange, you know how hectic things can be there. That's because over the last decade there's been a massive amount of commercial growth and development.

In the last few years alone, we've seen the addition of Delta Crossings which includes BJ's Wholesale Club (among many other businesses), a Crumbl Cookies, numerous restaurants, and soon, Bass Pro Shops, and it's because of all these businesses that we see so many cars on the road in that area.

Why West Saginaw Near Delta Crossings is So Busy

According to Lansing State Journal, what was once a much quieter stretch of West Saginaw now sees about 26,000 vehicles a day. To help put that into perspective for you... US-127 in Lansing averages 44,000 a day.

READ ALSO: The 5 Deadliest Roads in the State of Michigan

There's all kinds of congestion, weird turning situations, sudden stops, and numerous crashes. I don't know about you, but I often find myself white-knuckling the steering wheel when I go through that area.

MDOT’s $16 Million Road Construction Plan

To help fix this problem, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is planning a $16 million reconfiguration project for the stretch of West Saginaw Highway between the interstate and Madonna Drive.

By 2028, here's what MDOT aims to accomplish:

• A median strip to control traffic flow
• Restricted left turns from side streets
• Two possible concepts:
  • Michigan Lefts at key intersection
  • J-turns (turn right, then U-turn)

All of these changes will help to make the corridor safer and more functional.

When Construction Will Begin

The project will go through development through 2027. Construction hopes to begin in 2028 and end before the year is up.

Plus, be on the lookout for more businesses adding or moving to that stretch; Best Buy (already located adjacent to the Lansing Mall) plans to move west on Saginaw to be closer to I-69.