NILES TOWNSHIP, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has announced the completion of a study into the reconstruction of the US-12/M-51 interchange and the US-12/3rd Street intersection in Niles Township, Berrien County.
The study completion comes following years public meetings and planning. The studies will result in a $26 million project will replace the current US-12 intersections with 3rd Street and M-51.
Feedback from local leaders, stakeholders and residents indicated that the 3rd street intersection was a high-risk area to drive in.
“Our meetings with the public and stakeholders revealed the community had more concerns about congestion and crashes at the 3rd Street intersection than at M-51,” MDOT project manager Kyle Rudlaff said. “The interactive approach used in this study led us to look at more than just the interchange and address the community’s highest priorities while still accomplishing our original goals. This project will improve the US-12 corridor and specifically address congestion and crashes at the 3rd Street intersection well into the future.”
Officials say construction is expected to start in 2023. The project will remove existing bridges, reconstruct 1 mile of US-12, and resurface 2.5 miles of M-51.
The full report can be viewed online at the study website.
