Geddes Rd/US-23 Interchange and Geddes Rd/Earhart Rd Intersection Improvement 

Geddes Rd/US-23 Interchange and Geddes Rd/Earhart Rd Intersection Improvement Project

Overview

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is constructing a $5.3M improvement project along the Geddes Road corridor between Earhart Road and Dixboro Road in the City of Ann Arbor and Ann Arbor Township.  A major component of this project involves work in the Geddes Road/US-23 interchange and includes replacing the traffic signalized intersections at the northbound and southbound exit/entrance ramps with new modern roundabouts.  In addition, the Geddes Road and Earhart Road intersection will be reconstructed to include a third roundabout as part of the project.  Other improvements along the corridor include a new non-motorized multiuse asphalt path and along the south side of Geddes Road connecting to a pedestrian bridge spanning US-23, LED street lighting, concrete sidewalks and landscaping.

MDOT and the City of Ann Arbor partnered on the project and are the major stakeholders in this initiative.  Other stakeholders include Concordia University, the Washtenaw County Road Commission, Ann Arbor Township, and St Paul Lutheran Church of Ann Arbor.  MDOT is leading the project and managing all of the construction activities.

Funding

Funding for this project is a combination of federal, state and local resources.  The federal funds come from a Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) grant awarded to MDOT by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).  These CMAQ funds are highly competitive and are designated only to projects that significantly reduce congestion, and improve air quality.  State funding for the project comes through the MDOT, while the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County Road Commission are the agencies providing the local funds.  In addition to the monetary resources, land contributions from Concordia University and St. Paul Lutheran Church for public right-of-way and other public easements are an essential factor in the project implementation.

Construction Contractor and Project Designer

Construction bids for the Geddes Rd/US-23 Interchange and Geddes Rd/Earhart Rd Intersection Improvement Project were received by MDOT on September 3, 2009. The low bidder was Fonson, Inc. of Brighton, Michigan.  The University Region office lead the project design and received input from the City of Ann Arbor’s Project Management Unit related to design of Geddes Road west of the interchange and the Geddes/Earhart roundabout.

Construction Schedule and Staging

Construction began in October of 2009 and will be completed in October of 2010.  The construction will be done in five stages as noted in detail below. Each stage is designed to allow for safe vehicular and pedestrian traffic movement.

Work during the Fall/Winter of 2009/2010 will include the relocation of existing overhead and underground utilities that are in the way of proposed work, construction along the median side of US-23 to provide wider shoulders for traffic shifts during the ramp reconstruction that is to occur later in the project, installation of new underground storm sewers, site preparation and clearing, and construction of the pedestrian bridge abutments.  This work is beyond the limits of the existing roadway system therefore traffic interruptions are expected to be minimal to none.

* All dates subject to change

Maintenance of Traffic

In the interest of facilitating safe and efficient construction methods and providing safe vehicular and pedestrian movement through the project, traffic will be maintained along Geddes Road and also detoured during different construction periods.

During the fall/winter of 2009/2010 traffic will be maintained in both directions on the existing Geddes Road.  Intermittent lane closures with flag control will be utilized as required.  Beginning in spring of 2010 westbound Geddes Road will be closed from the US-23 northbound on ramp to the US-23 southbound off ramp with eastbound traffic being maintained.  This condition will remain in place for the duration of the project and westbound traffic will be detoured.  Geddes Road west of the interchange will remain open to two-way traffic throughout the project on either the existing roadway or a temporary road.  The only exception to this is when placement of the pedestrian bridge beams occurs.  During these periods Geddes Road will be closed between Earhart Road and Dixboro Road.  Traffic will be able to exit US-23 at Geddes Road and travel away from the interchange.  On US-23 two lanes of traffic in both directions will be maintained during the project, with exception to intermittent lane closures, as required, and night time closures necessary to place the beams on the new pedestrian bridge.  Other traffic detours will be required for traffic approaching the project work zone, and will vary with the different stages of construction.  Lane closures and detours will be marked with appropriate signing and traffic control devices.  Notifications will be posted on changeable message signs well in advance of any expected traffic alterations.  The various detours required during each construction stage are outlined below.

Westbound Geddes Road Detours (All Stages):

§         Traffic desiring to continue westerly on Geddes Road from Dixboro Road into the City of Ann Arbor will be detoured onto northbound US-23 to westbound Plymouth Road to southbound US-23 and back to Geddes Road.  From the southbound exit ramp of US-23 traffic will be allowed to turn right and proceed westbound on Geddes Road toward the City.  The existing segment of Geddes Road from the southbound US-23 exit ramp to all points westerly will be maintained for two-way traffic during the project.

§         Northbound US-23 traffic desiring to exit at Geddes Road and proceed westerly will be directed to continue on northbound US-23 to westbound Plymouth Road to southbound US-23 back to westbound Geddes Road as described above.

Northbound US-23 Detour (Stages I, II and III):

§         Eastbound Geddes Road traffic desiring to enter onto northbound US-23 will be detoured to northbound Dixboro Road to westbound Plymouth Road to northbound US-23.

Southbound US-23 Detour (All Stages):

§         Traffic approaching the project from any direction on Geddes Road or Dixboro Road and wanting to enter onto southbound US-23 will be directed to southbound Dixboro Road to westbound Huron River Drive to southbound Hogback to westbound Washtenaw Avenue (M-17) to southbound US-23.

Northbound and Southbound US-23 Detour (Stage II – Pedestrian Bridge):

§         During the timeframes required for the pedestrian bridge beam placement nighttime closures of northbound and southbound US-23 will be in place to direct traffic off the freeway and then back onto it using the interchange ramp system.  Geddes Road will be closed between Earhart Road and Dixboro Road; however traffic will be able to exit from US-23 onto Geddes Road and travel away form the interchange.

Earhart Road Detour (Stage IV):

§         Earhart Road will be closed from Geddes Road to a point 400 feet northerly.  Earhart Road traffic wanting to use Geddes Road or access US-23 will be detoured northbound on Earhart Road to eastbound Goss Road to southbound Woodridge Avenue to southbound Dixboro Road to Geddes Road.  Geddes Road traffic desiring to use Earhart Road will use this same route in the opposite direction; northbound Dixboro Road to northbound Woodridge Avenue to westbound Goss Road to Earhart Road.

Beyond aforementioned restrictions the following traffic movements will be maintained for the entire duration of the project.

§         Access to Concordia University

§         One lane traffic eastbound on Geddes Road

§         US-23 southbound and northbound exit ramps

Contact Information

For questions, comments or concerns about the project please contact:

Michigan Department of Transportation

James Daavettila, P.E., Delivery Engineer or Daniel Garcia, Assistant Delivery Engineer

Phone: (810) 227-4681

E-mail: daavettilaj@michigan.gov or garciada@michigan.gov

City of Ann Arbor

David A. Dykman, P.E., Project Manager

Phone: (734) 794-6410 x43685

E-mail: ddykman@a2gov.org

Project background Web page link coming soon

Last Updated: December 3, 2009