Lane closures on Woodward from 8 Mile to I-696 herald road diet – Daily Tribune

Michigan Department of Transportation road crews are set to start lane closures on Woodward Ave. early Monday, marking the start of a two-phase $8.7 million repaving project that will bring bike lanes and a road diet to the avenue in Ferndale and part of Pleasant Ridge.

The lane closures start at 7 a.m. Monday and are expected to finish by sometime in November.

Crews will be doing day and night work to do pavement repairs, curb replacements and sidewalk upgrades from Eight Mile Road to south of I-696.

Next year, MDOT will continue work with more sidewalk upgrades, drainage improvements, and installing protected bike lanes and sight-line improvements for traffic signals, according to MDOT.

The work heralds the start of a road diet for Woodward that Ferndale officials have worked toward for several years with the support of Pleasant Ridge.

“Construction is always disruptive, but I’m happy the construction is moving forward,” said Ferndale Mayor Melanie Piana. “It’s been a long time coming. It’s time for safer streets that help all users get around the city.”

Sight lines for turning right onto Woodward will be improved when the project is completed, she added.

And it will make it easier for people to cross Woodward, especially in Ferndale’s active downtown at 9 Mile Road.

Having protected bike lanes on either side of the avenue will make it safer for them, as well as skaters and e-bike users, Piana said.

“This will save lives and make people feel less…