Starting tomorrow, July 22 will be a resurfacing project on I-196 in Van Buren and Allegan counties.
Michigan Department of Transportation spokesperson John Richard tells us crews will be working on about seven miles of road between Saugatuck and South Haven.
“This is a $3 million project and we will be replacing the concrete joints, resealing the joints, and then resurfacing the whole thing,” Richard said. “So, it will be a nice new blacktop, a new asphalt surface when the project is complete.”
Richard says the work will mean some intermittent lane closures, so drivers should be prepared. However, unlike the big I-94 reconstruction project now underway in Berrien County, this is just a resurfacing.
“A full reconstruct, of course, is where they rip everything out, including the drainage, the dirt, and then they start fresh with the foundation, the bedrock, and the sand, the filtration. So, with the 196 project between South Haven and Saugatuck, this is basically a resurfacing project, more of a rehabilitation project than a full reconstruct.”
Richard advises people to check Michigan.gov/Drive to stay on top of the latest construction information.
The project starting Monday will continue through November.
