Michigan Department of Transportation is nearing completion of the first year of the I-94 project.

This year’s work from Puertz Road to Washington Avenue, including rebuilding the I-94 interchange at Red Arrow Highway was initially expected to be complete before Thanksgiving, but MDOT spokesperson Nick Schirripa says it’s now looking closer to Christmas.

“[We’ve] already done most of the I-94 work between Washington Avenue and Puertz Road. So we are, I’ll say, a month, maybe two months away. We had a bit of a delay. We had some issues with the bridge beams. Likely this will push it back. Originally we were thinking about being done before Thanksgiving, but if all goes well, we’ll be done well before Christmas.”

While construction has caused many holdups and delays, local businesses are hopeful that this will payoff in the longrun.

AM cafe manager Lisa from Stevensville tells us although the construction has been an inconvenience, it does bring more people in.

“I mean right now as the construction is getting done, or worked on right now, it is a negative towards the businesses because they can’t get off the highway, but once it’s finished I think it’s going to be great for Stevensville. It’s going to look really nice.”

Starting Tuesday through October 30, Red Arrow Highway will be closed at I-94 while crews set beams for the eastbound I-94 bridge over Red Arrow Highway.  The eastbound I-94 ramp is anticipated to be closed until mid-November, with traffic being detoured on eastbound Marquette Woods Road, northbound Cleveland Avenue and westbound Glenlord Road. Southbound traffic will be detoured via southbound I-94, exit 22.

Schirripa notes work in 2025 will include rebuilding westbound I-94 from Washington Avenue to Empire Avenue and the westbound I-94 bridge over Pipestone Road.