Officials with the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) and the Charter Township of Commerce were joined today by a number of state and local officials to celebrate the start of construction on a new roundabout at the intersection the M-5 Connector and Pontiac Trail.
The roundabout also will connect Martin Parkway, to the north, with Pontiac Trail and M-5.
“This roundabout will improve traffic flow and safety in this area while also providing access to Commerce Township’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) district, which should stimulate economic development,” stated RCOC Board Chairman Eric Wilson. Wilson praised the township’s efforts to bring the project to this point.
“The township has worked for many years to bring its vision for this area to reality,” Wilson said. “Without the foresight and determination of people like Township Supervisor Tom Zoner, we would not be here today.”
The contractor for the project, Tony Angelo Cement Company, of Novi, is expected to begin work in earnest on May 31. At that time, Pontiac Trail will be closed between M-5 and Welch Road (to the west of the intersection). Pontiac Trail east of M-5 will remain open, and traffic will be permitted to travel from northbound M-5 to eastbound Pontiac Trail and from westbound Pontiac Trail to southbound M-5.
Traffic will not be permitted to travel from eastbound Pontiac Trail to southbound M-5 or from northbound M-5 to westbound Pontiac Trail. The detour rout for traffic that would normally travel on Pontiac Trail between M-5 and Welch Road will be Welch Road to Maple Road to Haggerty Road and back to Pontiac Trail and vice versa.
The $5 million roundabout project is expected to be completed by Nov. 1. Funding for the project comes from a variety of sources: Commerce Township and the Commerce Township DDA are contributing $2.2 million, RCOC is contributing just over $1 
million and Oakland County general government is contributing $360,000 (through the Tri-Party Program). Additionally a $1.5 million Michigan Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) grant was awarded to the project in connection with new jobs created recently at nearby Homedics, a seller of personal health, wellness and relaxation products.
About Tom and Ann Gendich