The Michigan Department of Transportation announced on April 15 that it will start resurfacing about seven miles of southbound Interstate 196 from south of the Berrien/Van Buren County line to 32nd Avenue, beginning Monday, April 20. The project is expected to conclude by Friday, May 22.
The $3.6 million project will include milling and resurfacing work, shoulder corrugations, and new pavement markings. Single-lane closures are planned during construction. According to MDOT’s announcement, this investment is projected to directly and indirectly support approximately 30 jobs.
The affected area includes portions of Berrien and Van Buren counties near the community of Covert. The highway improvements are part of ongoing efforts by MDOT to maintain state infrastructure.
MDOT manages nearly 10,000 miles of state highways, more than 4,800 bridges, over 2,700 miles of non-motorized trails, and other transportation assets according to the official website. The department employs more than 2,800 people across seven regions and operates numerous service centers statewide according to the official website.
In addition to highway maintenance projects like this one on I-196, MDOT oversees bridge upkeep as well as rail services, public transit programs, aviation initiatives, non-motorized trails management and safety standards according to the official website. Its operations cover a total network spanning nearly 9,669 miles throughout Michigan according to the official website.
Leadership at MDOT includes a director along with key executives such as a chief administrative officer and chief operations officer according to the official website. The department states its mission is focused on serving people and communities while supporting economic connections through transportation efforts according to the official website.
