Eric D. Lawrence

Detroit Free Press

Work on the northern end of the I-75 reconstruction and widening project is now expected to begin in mid-August, instead of this month.

A specific date has not been set. The Michigan Department of Transportation earlier this year had set July as the projected start of the $1-billion project in Oakland County, but MDOT spokesman Rob Morosi said today that the department's intent was simply to award the bid this month, not break ground.

The first phase covers a 3-mile section of highway through Bloomfield Township, Auburn Hills and Troy and is expected to take two years to complete. The more than 17-mile reconstruction and widening project is to be completed in eight phases, with the final piece — from north of Eight Mile to north of Nine Mile roads — scheduled for 2030.

"Starting in mid-August, two lanes will be open in each direction of I-75 between Coolidge Highway and Squirrel Road in order to safely allow crews to construct temporary crossovers. In September, two-way traffic will share the southbound lanes to allow for the reconstruction of northbound I-75, along with bridge replacement at Adams, Square Lake and Squirrel roads," MDOT said in a news release today.

The project is considered controversial by some who are concerned about plans to add an extra lane in each direction to the road. MDOT, however, has said the additions would function as High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, requiring two or more vehicle riders, during peak travel hours. The lanes would be open to all drivers outside of peak hours.

Some local communities have express concern over having to contribute tax dollars to the project. In Troy, residents are facing a tab projected at more than $9 million as their city's share for the I-75 project. For Royal Oak residents the tab is expected to be about $4 million.

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has been among the loudest proponents of the project on what he has called "Oakland County's main street."

MDOT initially said the first phase would cost about $127 million, but Morosi said in an e-mail today that the low bid came in at $90.8 million. The prime contractor is Dan's Excavating of Shelby Township

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter: @_ericdlawrence.