Sorry for the delayed response, I was out of the office the end of last week and yesterday. This is the first chance I have had to look into your questions and get an email sent back out to you.
Our prime contractor Rieth-Riley is currently undergoing a labor dispute. This has resulted in some of their labors/operators going on strike as of the evening of Tuesday, July 30th. These labors/operators are generally the ones on the paving crews, so companywide limited paving is happening on projects currently that they are the contractor on statewide. MDOT and Rieth-Riley are continuing to work with the sub-contractors on this project on various other contract items to keep the project moving along to keep the project on schedule. Some of the work that has been ongoing is grading the ditches and front slopes, restoration (topsoil, seed, fertilizer, mulch, mulch blanket, etc.), and signs replacements. The final project completion date is Oct. 4, 2019, and MDOT is hopeful that this labor dispute will be resolved to still meet this completion date. MDOT is neutral on this labor dispute as it really is between the contractor and their union labor workforce, we are hopeful that is will be resolved as soon as possible.
As you are aware, the project is not complete and so it is difficult in this stage to see where the actual widenings are planned as some of them are not constructed yet. So, I can understand that it may be difficult for you to see where these widenings will take place or what the future pavement layout will look like when the project is finished.
The following is a list of the locations you referenced and what is planned at each intersection you referred to in your email:
- Arrowhead Rd – No Center-Left Turn Lane is planned at this location
- McIntyre's Landing Rd – A passing flare lane will allow for WB left turns is planned at this location
- Eagle Point Rd – A passing flare lane will allow for WB left turns is planned at this location
- Danish Landing Rd – A center left turn lane will allow for WB and EB left turns is planned at this location (this will start west of Danish Landing Rd and will go easterly to just east of the Snap Fitness Driveways)
I hope this answers and addresses all of your questions/concerns. If you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Thanks,
-Brad
Bradley G. Swanson, P.E.
Construction Engineer
MDOT – Gaylord TSC
Office Phone: (989) 731-5090
Cell Phone: (989) 370-3792
SwansonB@michigan.gov