MDOT Reopens Rebuilt Section of I-475 After Two Years of Major Road Repairs
Key Takeaways
- MDOT reopened a 3-mile section of I-475 in Flint following two years of road and bridge reconstruction.
- The $141 million project rebuilt lanes, repaired 19 structures, and replaced the Flint River bridge.
- The corridor carries 36,000 vehicles daily and will now operate more smoothly with fewer traffic disruptions.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has officially reopened the north section of Interstate 475 after a two-year reconstruction effort that delivered critical road and bridge repairs in Flint, Mich.
The $141 million project rebuilt a 3-mile stretch of I-475 between the Flint River and Carpenter Road in Genesee County, restoring both the northbound and southbound lanes and eliminating widespread potholes that had degraded driving conditions, according to ABC 12 News.
Major Bridge and Structure Repairs Completed
The project also included repairs to 19 structures along the corridor and the construction of a new bridge over the Flint River, MDOT said in a press release.
The section of I-475, which carries more than 36,000 vehicles daily, will now operate without prolonged lane closures that had slowed traffic during construction.
To improve traffic flow and safety, one lane was reduced along the rebuilt corridor to optimize vehicle movement through Flint’s north side, ABC 12 News reported.
Part of Michigan’s $3.5 Billion Rebuilding Initiative
Construction began in April 2024 on the northbound lanes, with southbound lane repairs starting in December 2024. The newly rebuilt roadway reopened to the public on Sept. 29, marking a key milestone in the state’s Rebuilding Michigan program — a $3.5 billion initiative launched by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to extend roadway lifespans and improve safety statewide.
The next phase — a $270 million project to rebuild the middle and southern segments of I-475 from the Flint River to Bristol Road — is slated to begin in spring 2026, MDOT announced.
Sources: ABC 12 News, MDOT