The final phase of a multi-part Michigan Department of Transportation reconstruction project will require a temporary two-day closure of the M-72/M-22 intersection, officials announced on October 16, 2025. Work crews are scheduled to perform final paving on a new roundabout beginning at 4 a.m. on Monday, October 20, with reopening targeted for 10 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21, weather permitting.

During the closure, eastbound and westbound M-72 traffic will be detoured via Gray Road, while M-22 will be maintained with one lane in each direction. State and local outlets confirmed consistent details of the closure when MDOT released the notice, which follows broader reconstruction work outlined in MDOT’s April 9, 2025 road construction guide. That earlier guide described the M-72/M-22 rebuild but did not include the specific closure dates announced in October.

For residents of Traverse City and Elmwood Township, the closure will temporarily disrupt commutes and local travel on a corridor that connects the city to surrounding townships. The timing coincides with a busy fall period for both tourists and local commerce, raising the potential for delays for workers, shoppers and visitors accessing restaurants, retail and seasonal attractions. City of Traverse City communications and MDOT advisories are expected to be the primary sources for last-minute traffic updates and any weather-related schedule changes.

While the closure imposes short-term inconvenience, it also represents the completion of a project with public safety and mobility objectives. Replacing the former signalized intersection with a roundabout is designed to reduce crash severity, improve traffic flow and accommodate growing travel demand in the region. MDOT has characterized this phase as the project’s final paving step, distinguishing it from earlier 2025 construction updates that occurred without a full closure.

Local government and transportation planners view the roundabout as a long-term investment in infrastructure that should benefit the county’s economy, particularly sectors tied to tourism and through-traffic. The reconstruction is managed by MDOT with local coordination from the City of Traverse City; no individual officials were highlighted in the project notices.

Uncertainties remain chiefly tied to weather and real-time traffic conditions. If adverse weather occurs, the closure window could be extended, and motorists should monitor MDOT alerts and local traffic reports for changes. Follow-up reporting will track whether the paving is completed on schedule, document any extensions, and assess the roundabout’s early operational impacts on traffic patterns and safety in the weeks after reopening.

Residents and businesses planning travel through the M-72/M-22 junction during the scheduled dates should plan alternative routes and allow extra travel time. After the paving is complete, the community will gain the intended infrastructure improvements that prompted the temporary disruption.