MDOT $25.8M Rebuild of M‑72/M‑22 Nears Completion, Bringing Safer Streets
The Michigan Department of Transportation is wrapping up a $25.8 million reconstruction of 2.2 miles of M‑72 (Grandview Parkway) and M‑22, with work slated to finish by Nov. 15. The project replaces pavement, upgrades ADA ramps, improves transit and drainage, renews sidewalks and non‑motorized paths, and adds a new roundabout at the M‑72/M‑22/Bay Street junction — changes that will affect traffic patterns and accessibility throughout Grand Traverse County.
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Travelers and residents along the Grandview Parkway corridor will soon see the end of a major state highway rebuilding effort as the Michigan Department of Transportation moves toward a Nov. 15 completion date for the 2.2‑mile M‑72 and M‑22 project. The $25.8 million undertaking covers a comprehensive set of upgrades intended to modernize the roadway and improve safety and mobility.
The scope of work includes full pavement rebuilds to restore roadway surfaces, Americans with Disabilities Act ramp upgrades to improve access for pedestrians, and replacement of sidewalks and non‑motorized paths to better accommodate walkers and cyclists. Transit and drainage improvements are also part of the contract, reflecting attention to public transportation access and stormwater management along the corridor. A notable change is the construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of M‑72 and M‑22 that incorporates Bay Street into the redesigned junction.
MDOT is leading the project, and information has been made available through the City of Traverse City’s project page. The work is being completed in phases across the 2.2‑mile stretch, which has been a key artery for both local traffic and visitors accessing downtown Traverse City and the lakeshore. Completing construction before the onset of winter is aimed at minimizing long‑term disruption and ensuring the roadway can withstand seasonal weather.
For Grand Traverse County residents, the project brings several tangible local impacts. Rebuilt pavement and improved drainage can reduce potholes and standing water problems that compromise safety and vehicle condition. ADA upgrades and refreshed sidewalks and paths will make crossings and pedestrian travel easier and safer for seniors, people with disabilities, and families. The roundabout is expected to change traffic flow at the busy M‑72/M‑22/Bay Street intersection, a design intended to reduce conflict points and improve vehicle movement compared with signalized intersections.
During construction, motorists and non‑motorized users experienced detours, lane shifts and temporary disruptions — tradeoffs many communities accept for long‑term infrastructure benefits. As the project nears its scheduled wrap in mid‑November, residents should anticipate finalized travel patterns and permanent signage in the weeks that follow.
This investment places the corridor in line with broader trends in road design that emphasize multi‑modal access, ADA compliance and stormwater resilience. For ongoing updates and specific traffic advisories, the City of Traverse City and MDOT maintain project information online.
