Michigan's 2026 road construction season kicked off this week with a flurry of projects across the state, ranging from major resurfacing efforts in Oakland County to critical infrastructure improvements throughout the Upper Peninsula and beyond.

The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) announced nearly $60 million worth of road projects scheduled for the 2026 construction season, with work including major resurfacing projects, roundabout construction, two bridge projects, culvert repair and replacement, and gravel road paving.

RCOC Managing Director Dennis Kolar explained, "As always, during construction season, there will be some inconvenience for motorists as we improve the roads, but that short-term pain will result in long-term improvements to the road system. We thank motorists, residents and businesses for their patience while we make these improvements."

Oakland County Projects Breakdown

The Oakland County projects total $56.8 million and include:

Repair, Rehabilitation & Resurfacing:

  • 12 Mile Road from Orchard Lake to Autumn Ridge in Farmington Hills ($3.4 million)
  • 12 Mile Road from Novi to Farmington in Novi and Farmington Hills ($10.8 million)
  • Greenfield Road from Lincoln to 12 Mile in Southfield, Berkley and Oak Park ($14.2 million)
  • Novi Road from 8 Mile to 9 Mile in Novi and Northville ($6.8 million) - a two-year project started in 2025
  • Pontiac Trail from 9 Mile to the CSX railroad tracks in South Lyon and Lyon Township ($11.6 million)

Intersection Improvement:

  • Wixom/Duck Lake/Sleeth intersection roundabout construction in Milford and Commerce townships ($2.2 million)

Gravel Road Paving:

  • Pontiac Lake Road from Margie to Kingston in White Lake Township ($5.8 million) - starting in 2026 and finishing in 2027

Bridge Replacements:

  • Deerhill Street over Deer Lake Creek in Independence Township ($1.5 million)
  • Edgeorge Street over the Clinton River in Waterford Township and Emburke Street over the Clinton River in Waterford Township (to be replaced with a pedestrian bridge) ($2.9 million)

Bridge Rehabilitations:

  • 14 Mile Road over the Rouge River in Franklin and Bloomfield Township
  • Franklin Road over the Rouge River in Franklin and Bloomfield Township
  • Inkster Road over the Rouge River in Bloomfield Township and West Bloomfield Township ($1.7 million) - all three bid as one project

Culvert Projects:

  • 10 Mile Road over the Rouge River in Farmington Hills ($1.5 million)
  • Avonlea Street over the Huron River in White Lake Township ($1.6 million)
  • Heatherwood Street over the Huron River in Commerce Township ($800,000)
  • Walnut Lake Road over the Rouge River in West Bloomfield Township, which includes simple resurfacing of Walnut Lake from Orchard Lake to Middlebelt ($1.9 million)
  • Bonnie Briar Street over Pontiac Lake Canal in White Lake Township ($100,000)

Statewide MDOT Projects

Beyond Oakland County, MDOT has announced several other projects across Michigan:

Lapeer County:

  • M-24 guardrail replacement project on the M-24 bridge over the Flint River in Mayfield Township, Lapeer County ($80,000) - beginning April 6

Livingston County:

  • I-96 traffic shift with lane and ramp closures begins Friday, April 3, shifting westbound traffic to the eastbound side from Dorr Road to Chilson Road

Grand Traverse County and Benzie County:

  • US-31 rebuilding and detour near Interlochen could begin as early as April 7
  • The project to rebuild a 7.8-mile section of US-31 from Sullivan Road in Green Lake Township, Grand Traverse County, to Reynolds Road in Inland Township, Benzie County, requiring detours on local roads

Other Counties:

  • MDOT plans upcoming road work in Mecosta, Osceola, and Lake counties, including bridge repairs, highway reconstruction, and sidewalks in Big Rapids, Baldwin, and Evart

Impact on Motorists

With construction season underway across the state, drivers should expect temporary inconveniences including detours, lane closures, and reduced traffic capacity. However, these projects are essential for maintaining Michigan's transportation infrastructure and ensuring the safety of motorists.

The RCOC and MDOT have emphasized that the short-term disruptions during construction season will result in long-term improvements to Michigan's road system, with enhanced safety features, better pavement conditions, and critical infrastructure upgrades.

For more information on specific projects, the RCOC and MDOT have made detailed information available on their respective websites, including project maps, timelines, and contact information for residents and businesses.

About the Road Commission for Oakland County

The Road Commission for Oakland County manages approximately 3,600 miles of county roads throughout Oakland County. The commission's mission is to provide safe, efficient, and reliable transportation for all residents and businesses in the county, while maintaining high standards for road quality and safety.