The Michigan Department of Transportation has opened the reconstructed intersection at Stadium Drive and U.S. 131, just in time for Friday’s big football game between Michigan State and Western Michigan.
The $23.5 million project began last April.
Nick Schrippa with MDOT said there’s still some landscaping that needs to be done, but allo f the concrete work is finished. The intersection opened in phases Thursday morning.
The redesigned interchange should also eliminate some of the safety problems that were designed into the former overpass and ramp system, he said.
“The single-points urban interchange — it’s a similar alignment to what we have at I-94 and Westnedge, in terms of ramps and stuff,” Schrippa said.
He said the agency’s goal was to get it open before Labor Day and the opening of fall term at WMU — the fact that it will be open in time for the game was serendipity.
– John McNeill
