Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

NILES — With bridge demolition now complete, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is set to move to the next phase of the $27 million investment to rebuild the US-12/M-51 interchange in Niles, Berrien County.

Starting Monday, March 4, weather permitting, M-51 traffic will be shifted to the east, narrowing from five lanes to three lanes, as the rebuilding begins. Work on M-51 includes pavement removal, curb removal, excavation, base replacement, and drainage improvements.

Work will continue along the US-12 corridor, removing the pavement and earth embankments along the old roadway in preparation for the new US-12/M-51 intersection. The contractor will continue installing new drainage structures and new base materials in preparation for curb and pavement.

After traffic is shifted, there will be one lane of M-51 in each direction, as well as a center left-turn lane. US-12 traffic will continue to use crossovers, temporary ramps, and the signalized intersection at M-51.

Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 383 jobs.