This MDOT Design-Build project reconstructed 9.43 miles of I-94 in Jackson County from the Washtenaw County Line to east of Sargent Road. The Eastbound lanes and 3.6 miles of Westbound I-94 were reconstructed with non-reinforced PCCP. MDOT specified the remaining westbound roadway to be cold milled and asphalt resurfaced. Design also included reconstruction of the bridges carrying I-94 over Race Road and the Whipple Road flyover, widening the bridges to FHWA standards. Both Grass Lake weigh stations were improved with new scales, lighting, expanded ramps and parking areas. Ramp reconstruction at four interchanges, Portland Cement-Treated Permeable Base, major drainage improvements, signing, traditional and cable guardrail, fencing, plantings and erosion control completed the main project scope.
Adding to the complex scheduling were the extremely heavy traffic volumes during Michigan State University and University of Michigan home football games, and the Michigan International Speedway NASCAR races.
Temporary crossovers were built to maintain ramp traffic at all interchanges and the Westbound Rest Area. The existing reinforced concrete overlay, bituminous separation course and original 9” reinforced concrete were removed and the concrete was recycled for the aggregate separator course and permeable base
This was the first project in Michigan to place the FHWA safety edge on the concrete shoulders, using the westbound 3.6 miles as a test section for MDOT appraisal. Construction of permanent pavement utilized High Performance PCC, while all temporary pavement, maintenance crossovers, and weigh station pavement were also placed using concrete pavement.