City of Brighton Weighs In on I-96/US-23 Interchange ProjectCity of Brighton Weighs In on I-96/US-23 Interchange Project

1/17/14 - Later this year, the Michigan Department of Transportation will embark on a project to completely reconfigure and re-engineer the I-96/US-23 interchange in Brighton. It’s a major project, and is sure to cause major headaches for area drivers, particularly commuters who use the freeways on a daily basis. In order to facilitate the work, the Spencer Road exit of I-96 in Brighton Township – just outside the city limits of Brighton –is scheduled to be closed for 45 days to allow for bridge reconstruction. Currently, MDOT plans to close the I-96 entrance and exit ramps at Spencer Road beginning in mid-July. MDOT has indicated to Brighton city officials that it would consider any reasonable requests from the city in regard to the project. At Thursday night’s City Council meeting, council directed City Manager Dana Foster to submit the city’s recommendations to MDOT. Foster tells WHMI that the city would like MDOT to keep the eastbound ramp open, at least to cars. The city also would prefer that MDOT wait until after the Smokin’ Jazz and Blues Festival, which takes places on Sept. 5 and 6, to start the Spencer Road overpass project. Foster adds that Brighton has a long history of cooperation with MDOT and he feels the agency will give the city’s request serious consideration. In the event that the state cannot comply due to tight construction schedules, Foster says the city will tell MDOT it would be helpful if the state adheres to its scheduled date for closure of the Spencer Road exit. He says if that happens, the bridge should be done by the time the festival takes place. A copy of the letter City Council directed Foster to send to M-DOT is attached below, which includes the City Engineer's related report. (TT)