The I-94 freeway in Jackson County, Michigan, was opened to traffic in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Obsolete design, coupled with significant traffic growth from local and international trade
has decreased the corridor’s functional and operational efficiencies.
Through a collaborative and participatory process with the local stakeholders and the public,
the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has identified a series of tailored
improvements along the 9-mile-long corridor that will be implemented as funding becomes available.
In anticipation of eventual improvements to I-94, MDOT has completed the replacement
of the existing structures over I-94 at Hawkins Road,
Dettman Road and Sargent Road to accommodate the future widening of I-94.
Starting in 2018, MDOT will proceed with soil consolidation work
to address the voids created by past coal mining activities under the Cooper Street interchange.
This work will be followed by the reconstruction of I-94 from Lansing Avenue to Elm Road,
including the reconstruction of the Grand River Bridge and the interchange at Cooper Street.
A merge/weave lane to facilitate vehicles entering and leaving the freeway
is proposed for each direction between the Cooper Street interchange and the Elm Road interchange.
Shoulders will also be widened to meet current geometric standards.
In addition, the project includes the rehabilitation of I-94 from M-60 to Lansing Avenue
and Elm Road to Sargent Road. The rehabilitation work includes extensive pavement repairs,
resurfacing, interchange ramp upgrades, drainage improvements, and median barrier wall replacement.
The project is scheduled to start in the 2018 construction season and it extends through 2021.
MDOT also involved the public in a process designed to identify aesthetic and landscape improvements
for the freeway’s major features. Input received during these meetings resulted
in the identification and treatment of the Cooper Street interchange as a gateway into the City of Jackson
for motorized and nonmotorized traffic.
Context-sensitive solutions have been developed for this interchange,
inspired by the community’s preference for a natural, organic stone aesthetic concept
and special treatments at the Cooper Street structure over I-94 and the roundabouts
leading to the city and neighboring Blackman Township.
The resulting aesthetics will be applied to future reconstruction/rehabilitation work
along the I-94 corridor at other interchanges and structures located within
and beyond the segment under study. The proposed improvements, designed to heighten safety and mobility
through focused, sustainable, and cost-efficient fixes,
will respond to community transportation needs, enhance the character of the community’s physical environment,
and add lasting value for the community.
MDOT is reconstructing and bringing the following interchanges up to standards
with the following improvements:
At the Cooper Street interchange, the bridge is being reconstructed to accommodate one lane in each direction
for car traffic with additional width for pedestrian access across the freeway.
The ramps are being reconstructed to meet current acceleration and deceleration standard lengths
where they merge with the freeway.
Roundabouts are being added on each side of the interchange
where the ramps intersect with Cooper Street.
A weave lane is proposed between Cooper Street and Elm Road along eastbound and westbound I-94.
And the structure’s aesthetics and the landscape at the roundabout leading to the City of Jackson
are enhanced to represent its significance as a gateway to the city and township.
At the M-60 interchange, two new structures are proposed over the freeway,
along with ramp acceleration and deceleration length improvements.
The aesthetics and landscape at M-60 reflect the natural, organic physical environment
as the freeway moves away from the core urban area of the City of Jackson.
At the Elm Road interchange, the bridge is being reconstructed as a two-lane structure over I-94,
and its aesthetics design resembles the Cooper Street structure,
keeping a consistent look throughout the corridor’s urban core.
The ramps are being reconstructed to meet current acceleration and deceleration standard lengths
at their entrances to and exits from the freeway.
And aesthetically pleasing roundabouts are proposed on each side of the interchange
at its ramps’ intersections with Elm Road.
Improvements will start in 2018 with the reconstruction of the segment of I-94
from Lansing Road east to Elm Road and the rehabilitation of I-94
from M-60 to Sargent Road, including the reconstruction of the Grand River Bridge,
including the Cooper Street interchange in 2018, the M-60 interchange in 2020, and
the Elm Road Interchange in 2021.
Future projects, including the Airport Road interchange, the I-94/US-127 north interchange,
the Lansing Avenue bridge, and the I-94/US-127 south interchange
will follow when funding is identified.
Informational meetings will be scheduled as the project advances.
Make sure to watch your Twitter and Facebook accounts for notices of project milestones and upcoming events.
Current information can also be found on the project website,
at www.michigan.gov/mdot.
In addition, you can call the Jackson Transportation Service Center at 517-780-7540 for more information.