Great Lakes Wire

M-72 traffic in Traverse City will be detoured on October 20 and 21 to allow for paving at the new roundabout at the M-72/M-22 intersection, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The closure is set to begin at 4 a.m. Monday and end by 10 p.m. Tuesday, weather permitting.

During this period, M-72 will be closed at the intersection with M-22 in Traverse City and Elmwood Township, extending just west of the intersection near Tom’s Food Market. Through-traffic on M-72 from Gray Road/Bugai Road to Bay Street will not be allowed; however, businesses along M-72 will remain accessible.

Eastbound drivers heading toward Traverse City will follow a detour using Gray Road, Cedar Run Road, West Front Street, and US-31/M-37 (Division Street) back to M-72. A temporary traffic signal is planned for installation at Cedar Run Road/Harris Road. Westbound traffic leaving Traverse City will use US-31/M-37 (Division Street), West Front Street, Cedar Run Road, and Gray Road as their detour route. The same temporary signal applies.

The stretch between US-31/M-37 (Division Street) and Cherry Bend Road on both M-72 and M-22 will stay open but controlled by traffic regulators; no westbound travel through the roundabout on M-72 will be possible during construction.

MDOT is nearing completion of a $25.8 million project that involves rebuilding a 2.2-mile section of M-72 from Division Street in Traverse City and M-22 (Bay Shore Drive) to Cherry Bend Road in Elmwood Township this year. The work includes removing old pavement surfaces, making drainage improvements such as new curbs and storm sewers, replacing sidewalks and nonmotorized paths, upgrading sidewalk ramps for ADA compliance, building the new roundabout at the intersection with Bay Street included, updating Cherry Bend Road's traffic signals, improving access management for driveways where feasible, and making upgrades for local transit buses.

“These road closures will provide the safest work environment for paving crews,” MDOT stated.