HOLLAND, Mich. — Eastbound I-196 Business Loop between Holland and Zeeland will close between US-31 and 88th Avenue in Zeeland on April 13.
"This is another project where this section of road has not been reconstructed, ever in the history of the pavement," said John Richard, MDOT communications rep for the Grand Region.
The detour for those heading eastbound will send them to 16th/Adams Street where they can then get on I-196 to rejoin the business loop.
MDOT says the pavement is from the 1960s when the corridor was built, as Richard says the I-196 Business Loop is a stretch of road used by thousands of drivers everyday, and is a route important for business, agriculture and tourism.
"We're gonna rip out that old pavement, put a new asphalt resurfacing, there is new signage, new guardrail," said Richard. "All those crossroads will get the reconstruction as well."
When asked about the potential impact on businesses along the corridor, MDOT says they look to maintain regular business access with short-term closures to crossroads as the project moves.
The eastbound portion of the project will go until August, as the westbound lanes will then close from August until November.
"It rides pretty well still to this day even though it's the original pavement, but it definitely needs some rehab and this is a full reconstruction project for a long-term fix," said Richard.
Drivers can utilize the Mi Drive map for updates on road closures and projects, as MDOT also suggests using Google Maps for traffic level updates, and asks drivers for patience as detours may see increased traffic volumes.
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