Major Road Construction Projects
Each year the city is involved in numerous road construction projects designed to support traffic safety and traffic flow, encourage development and redevelopment opportunities and improve the aesthetic character of the city.
The following information highlights previous, current and ongoing major road construction activities. You may also use the "Report It" feature to inform the city of any road-related issues you find in the city. For additional road construction information you may contact the Department of Transportation and Utilities at 324-9256.
2010 Major Road Construction Projects
I-94 Widening and Reconstruction Project
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is widening I-94 from west of US-131 to east of Oakland Drive. Work includes the reconstruction of the I-94/US-131 and I-94/Oakland Drive interchanges, as well as widening 2.6 miles of I-94 to add one through lane in each direction. Work in 2010 is currently concentrating on constructing the south side of I-94 from east of Oakland Drive to the west side of Portage Road including new bridges at South Westnedge Avenue and Portage Creek. Construction requires that speficic ramps and lanes be closed during the construction process. Current lane and road closures updates from MDOT are as follows:
• Ramp Closures:
- Westbound I-94 to Southbound Westnedge Ave Ramp will be closed until November 2010.
- Eastbound I-94 to Southbound Westnedge Ave Ramp will be closed until November 2010.
- Eastbound I-94 to Northbound Westnedge Ave Ramp will be closed until November 2011.
- Northbound Westnedge Ave to Eastbound I-94 Ramp will be closed until November 2010.
- Southbound Westnedge Ave to Eastbound I-94 Ramp will be closed until November 2010.
- Northbound Westnedge Ave to Westbound I-94 Ramp will remain open for the construction season.
- Southbound Westnedge Ave to Westbound I-94 Ramp will remain open for the construction season.
- Westbound I-94 to Northbound Westnedge Ave Ramp will remain open for the construction season.
For project details including road closure information, contact the City of Portage Department of Transportation and Utilities at 329-4422.
West Milham Avenue Improvements - Angling Road to 12th Street - Construction Underway
Begining July 20, 2010, West Milham Avenue between 12th stree and Angling Road is open to thourugh traffic. The public is reminded tha the roadway is under construction and the speed limit in the construction zone is 25 milles per hour. The reconstruction of West Milham Avenue from Angling Road to 12th Street is included in the City of Portage 2009-10 Capital Improvement Program Budget. For many years, the Portage City Council has established the improvement of West Milham Avenue from 12th Street to Oakland Drive as a major infrastructure improvement priority. The section of West Milham Avenue from Angling Road to 12th Street is the second phase of this roadway improvement following the completion of the section from Angling Road to Oakland Drive in 2009.
West Milham Avenue from Angling Road to 12th Street is currently a two-lane section of roadway which does not have adequate capacity to handle current traffic volumes. Additionally, the existing pavement is deteriorated and in need of reconstruction. This project will include complete street reconstruction of West Milham Avenue from Angling Road to 12th Street. Features of the roadway improvements include:
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Sanitary sewer installation (Baywood Avenue to McGillicuddy Lane)
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Storm sewer and drainage structures
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Concrete curb and gutter
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Replacement of deteriorated concrete sidewalks
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Bike lanes
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Concrete driveway approaches
To view the final construction drawings, please contact the Department of Transportation and Utilities at 329-4422.
West Milham Avenue from Angling Road to 12th Street has been designated a Residential Conservation Corridor and the proposed improvements are intended to preserve and protect the residential character of the neighborhood. The new roadway section will generally consist of the following features:
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One westbound through lane
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One eastbound through lane
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A center optional left-turn lane, bicycle lanes on both sides of the street
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Concrete sidewalks on both sides of the street
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Various landscaping improvements
During construction two-way traffic will be maintained on temporary lanes. Driveway access will be restricted during concrete curb and driveway installation.
The project is funded in part by Federal Transportation monies and was bid by the Michigan Department of Transportation. Due to a lack of a current highway bill funding in Congress, the date of the bidding was delayed approximately 4 months. Private utility relocations were completed in March and April. Bidding was completed by MDOT on May 21, 2010 and construction is underway. Depending on contractor progress and weather, the project is on schedule to be completely opened to traffic by October 2010. Final paving will take place in 2011.
South Westnedge Avenue Enhancement Projects (SWEPS)
In March 2006, engineers contracted by the city began the process of designing the improvements associated with SWEPs. The city hosted an Open House on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at Portage City Hall. The Open House allowed the public to view the preliminary design, ask questions and provide input that will ultimately lead to the best design product. Conceptual plans for areas north of I-94 have been updated to reflect revisions and refinements to the original plan. The final construction plans were completed and forwarded to the Michigan Department of Transportation for bidding.
Construction in 2008 focused on widening South Westnedge Avenue to three travel lanes northbound from Amos Avenue to Old Kilgore Road. Southbound, the roadway was widened to three travel lanes from north of Market Place to the westbound I-94 on-ramp. The project included new sidewalk on both sides of the street, new concrete driveway approaches, center median construction, and landscaping.
Currently, the Michigan Department of Transportation has begun the construction of I-94 widening from east of Oakland Drive to west of Portage Road. The current project includes the replacement of the South Westnedge Avenue bridge and the reconstuction of the I-94/South Westnedge Avenue intersection.
The next construction phase of SWEPs is the scheduled widening of an additional northbound through lane from Milham Avenue to Dawnlee Avenue. The current estimated construction date for this phase is 2015-16. The final phase of SWEPs will include the widening of southbound South Westnedge Avenue from Kilgore Road to Trade Centre Way with a 3rd through lane. This phase is currently scheduled to be built in 2016-17.
Project Resources:
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- 12/20/2007 Final Drawings (North of Interstate 94)
- 11/15/2006 Conceptual Drawings (South of Interstate 94)
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