Everyone who lives in Michigan knows the old joke: “In Michigan there are two seasons - winter and construction.”
But with construction going on all over Lansing and East Lansing with Interstate 496 and U.S. 127, commuters all over the area may feel as though they’re getting hit with a little bit more than they can handle.
A portion of I-496 is closed, and traffic on U.S. 127 has been reduced to one lane.
“Overall, it seems to be going well,” said Kari Debnar, spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Transportation. “We knew once we closed 127 it would be one of the trouble areas.”
MDOT has set up a Web site complete with alternate routes and Web cams to show the traffic situation all over Lansing. Those taking the time to browse the Internet before heading out are able to see how the traffic looks near the two highways, as well as areas such as Lake Lansing Road, Dunckel Road and Saginaw Street.
Despite all the preparation and alternate routes, traffic jams and slow-moving travel may become a part of Lansing for the summer. Construction workers have also begun working at night to ensure the projects will be done as quickly as possible. Warnings will reportedly be given to an area 48 hours before the night work will begin, but Debnar believes the noise should not cause too much of a disturbance.
But some commuters don’t seem to be having too much trouble, provided they stay away from the construction.
“It doesn’t really affect me,” said East Lansing resident Michael Hensh, who uses a number of alternate routes to get across town. “I don’t mind the drive. I haven’t heard any complaints - except when I listen to the radio. I hear it all the time on there.”
MDOT decided to begin work on U.S. 127 after the bulk of MSU students made their way out of the area. MSU is home to nearly 45,000 students during the fall and spring semesters, and drops to around 20,000 in the summer.
MSU is also currently home to a number of construction projects, all of which may not be nearly as much of a traffic disturbance to those making their way around campus.
MSU’s construction is part of a program to change intersections that have been problem areas. One of the key areas currently being revised is the intersection at Farm Lane and Wilson Road, which has been the site of a number of fender benders and serious accidents.
MSU police Deputy Chief Mike Rice, who is one of the officials coordinating the construction on campus, believes the construction has not served to cause many problems for commuters.
“It has not caused any significant problems, other than inconvenience,” Rice said.
MSU has no plans for major construction for the rest of the summer.
To view the alternate routes and the Web cam, visit www.fix496.com.
