Motorists will continue to see a lot of different construction activities along US-23 in the Flex Route zone, which runs from 9 Mile Road to the M-14 split.

The new Flex Route system is a lane control system that uses cameras and electronic message boards to let drivers know when an additional lane is available for use during morning and afternoon peak travel periods. The Intelligent Transportation System or ITS equipment, devices and infrastructure installation is complete along the length of the project. Local device testing and system integration has begun. Some of the biggest traffic impacts have been in the Northfield Township area, notably several ramp closures and reconstruction. Various work is ongoing at 6 Mile and 8 Mile Roads and lane closures are starting up this week on Barker Road at US-23 for paving. That work is expected to continue through Saturday, October 7th. M-DOT advises that one lane of traffic will be maintained on Barker Road using flag control between 9am and 2pm each day.

Michigan Department of Transportation spokeswoman Kari Arend tells WHMI some good news is that the end is in sight and they are more than three-quarters of the way done with the project and are on track to wrap up in mid-November.

With construction nearing completion, Arend says M-DOT will now be focusing on an education campaign to show motorists how to drive the Flex Route. Being that it is such a new system to Michigan, she says they want to start the campaign now. Starting next month, Arend says motorists will begin seeing billboards along US-23 directing people to the US-23 Flex Route website, which has videos and brochures explaining how it works along with the upgraded shoulders.

Information on upcoming closures can be found online at www.flexroute23.com. M-DOT photo. (JM)