The final phase of the I-196 culvert project will begin next week in Van Buren County. Michigan Department of Transportation spokesman Nick Schirripa tells us they’ll be replacing the culvert at Rogers Creek near Covert.

“There are three culvert pipes that we’re replacing with one big single three-sided concrete box,” Schirripa says. “It’ll have a natural stream bottom, but the sides and the top will be the concrete box.”

Last summer marked the first year of the project work, which included work under southbound I-196. This year’s work will be focused on the northbound lanes. Work is slated to begin on March 3, but that could be weather-dependent.

“They’re talking about potentially a March 10 start date, so pushing out a week just because of weather is the reason they’re expecting potentially to delay the start,” Schirripa says. “With that said, that does not affect the estimated completion date, so we’re still looking at an October 10 completion.”

I-196 drivers must be cautious, as the freeway will be reduced to one lane in each direction between mile markers 8 and 10.