GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The state Department of Transportation has begun a $38 million project to reconstruct and reconfigure the I-96/I-196 interchange near East Beltline Avenue but the impact for motorists won't be felt until next year.

MDOT will answer questions and share information about the project at a meeting Tuesday, Aug. 14, at its Transportation Service Center, 2660 Leonard St. NE.

People can stop by anytime between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The project includes reconstructing I-196 between Fuller Avenue and I-96, and reconfiguring the interchange of I-96, I-196 and East Beltline Avenue. The changes are shown in the maps above.

The reconfiguration will "relieve the weave," with dedicated exit lanes from eastbound I-96 and eastbound I-196 onto East Beltline, MDOT spokesman John Richard said.

Currently, westbound I-196 goes over eastbound I-96, but that will be reversed with eastbound I-96 going over westbound I-196. The new bridge will be the dedicated exit lane to East Beltline.

The major impact on traffic won't happen until the 2019 and 2020 construction seasons, Richard says.

This fall, there will be shoulder closures and periodic single-lane for temporary widening and bridge construction, Richard said.

In the spring, there will be a single-lane on westbound I-196, from I-96 to Fuller Avenue, for about six months while westbound I-196 is being reconstructed. This will occur during the closure of the westbound I-196 bridge for widening.

In May, eastbound I-96 will close at Leonard Street for about three months while the existing westbound I-196 bridge is removed and eastbound I-96 bridge is installed.

The eastbound I-96 detour will be southbound U.S. 131 to eastbound I-196.

In spring 2020, two lanes of traffic I-196 traffic will be maintained in both directions on newly constructed westbound I-196 while eastbound I-196 is reconstructed.

Traffic on I-96 will not be significantly affected in 2020.

Several ramps will be closed or have restrictions during construction, Richard said. Ramps on East Beltline to eastbound and westbound I-96, and the Leonard Street ramp to eastbound I-96, will be closed intermittently, Richard said.