The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is hoping to close on a contract by the end of the year that will allow it to rebuild 18 miles of I-75 in Oakland County 10 years early.
MDOT said in a news release Friday that it has identified a team of contractors and designers called the Oakland Corridor Partners as the preferred bidder to design, build, finance and maintain the final 5.5-mile segment of the estimated $1.4 billion project. MDOT said last year that it is using a different financing system to fund the project, allowing it to speed up the timeline from a 2030 deadline to 2020.
Officials have said the I-75 rebuild is the first time the design-build model has been implemented in Michigan. The partners would rebuild the pavement, modernize the freeway and improve 28 bridges between Michigan 102/Eight Mile Road and 13 Mile Road in Hazel Park, Madison Heights and Royal Oak. MDOT had originally planned to contract out this stretch in five separate segments.
The project also would separate traffic entering northbound I-75 from I-696 and northbound I-75 traffic exiting at 11 Mile Road. In addition to new pavement, the project will also replace 47 bridges and stormwater drainage. MDOT expects to close on the contract by the end of the year.
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Source: The Detroit News
