Dear Crabby, Where’s All the Road Construction?

Dear Crabby, Before life as we knew it came to a grinding halt, there was road construction everywhere. Nowadays, I occasionally see a patch crew. It seems with less traffic that now would be the perfect time to get the bulk of the road work completed. Is it not considered ‘essential?’ What am I missing here? Thanks! Arnold Autobahn Dear Arnold Autobahn, You make an excellent observation. It seems like only yesterday, that I was musing whether or not the construction in our state … [Read more...]

Dear Crabby, What Do You Think of Zipper Merging?

Dear Crabby, Just when I think I have the construction patterns down – bam! More are added to the mix. Between the new segment of I-75 starting soon and the work on Baldwin extending into 2020, I’m seeing more articles reminding drivers to zipper merge. But does it work and why should I let a car in at the last minute when I’ve been waiting in traffic forever? Thanks, Cyndy Sideswipe Dear Cyndy Sideswipe, Why should you indeed? I know our roads are in bad shape and need to be … [Read more...]

Oakland County Federal Aid Task Force to Meet on Oct. 13

The Oakland County Federal Aid Task Force will conduct its annual meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13. The Task Force is responsible for selecting road improvement projects to receive federal road funds anticipated to come to Oakland County (assuming a new or extended federal highway bill). It is made up of representatives of the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC), the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), SMART (the suburban bus system) and all communities in the county. The meeting is … [Read more...]

RCOC Updates Real-Time Traffic Map on Website with User-Friendly Features

The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) has updated the interactive Real-Time Traffic Map on its website with new and improved user-friendly features. The map uses RCOC’s high-tech FAST-TRAC traffic-signal system to capture and display real-time traffic congestion information for most primary roads in the county. It also includes real-time congestion information for freeways in the county provided by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). Commuters can now select the … [Read more...]

Hamlin Road Construction Update

The following is an update from Rochester Community Schools regarding the Hamlin Road construction project in Rochester Hills: Community Members, As you may be aware, construction has commenced on Hamlin Road between Livernois and Rochester Roads. A restricted work zone has been established that only permits local eastbound traffic. Westbound traffic on Hamlin Road will not be permitted at this time. In addition, all Hamlin Road intersecting streets (between Livernois and Rochester) with a … [Read more...]

MDOT Closing University Drive Bridge over I-75 for Reconstruction

Starting 9 a.m. on Monday, June 22, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is closing University Drive over I-75 in Auburn Hills as part of a $25 million investment to reconstruct the interchange. University Drive will be closed between Opdyke Road and Cross Creek Road to allow crews to demolish the bridge. The interchange will be rebuilt using a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) design, which will: Eliminate loop ramps Reduce conflict points and delays Improve pedestrian … [Read more...]

Sashabaw Road Project from I-75 to Waldon Road in Independence Township to Begin May 14

If you’re heading to a concert this summer at DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, you may want to start seeking an alternate route. That’s because according to a press release from the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC), contractors will begin work on Sashabaw Road from I-75 to Waldon Road beginning Thursday, May 14. Eddie Money kicks off the concert season at DTE on Friday, May 22. The project will include work on the I-75/Sashabaw interchange. Delays will occur throughout the project … [Read more...]

Michigan’s First Diverging Diamond Interchange Coming to University and I-75

If it’s spring, it must be construction season. The much used I-75 and University Drive junction in Auburn Hills is undergoing construction to create the state’s first Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI). Anyone who travels this stretch of road knows how badly it has deteriorated—especially the bridge—thanks to years of heavy use. A DDI is “designed to increase capacity, decrease congestion, and minimize new construction costs.” It differs from traditional intersections because it … [Read more...]

Tienken Road project delayed

According to a press release from the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) the start of the Tienken Road reconstruction project, Rochester Road to Livernois Road in Rochester Hills, will be delayed due to a glitch in the state bidding process. The project involves reconstructing the road, adding a continuous center left-turn lane and constructing a roundabout at the intersection of Livernois and Tienken roads. The project also includes reducing a hill and the installation of a water … [Read more...]

Oakland County Federal Road Funding Committee will meet Feb. 11

The Funding Committee of the Oakland County Federal Aid Task Force will meet Feb. 11 to consider project submissions seeking federal-aid road funds for future projects for the year 2017. The 14-member committee includes 10 representatives of Oakland’s cities, villages and townships, as well as two representatives of the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC), one representative from SMART (the suburban bus system) and one from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). It meets … [Read more...]