More Road Construction On The Way, Find Out Where

Ready or not, here it comes: more road construction. Plenty of projects are currently taking place throughout Michigan. And more road projects are starting next week. You may want to plan for your upcoming commutes. Most Michiganders are aware that I-696 is getting a way overdue makeover. It’s one of the interstates that is a part of the Rebuilding Michigan Roads and Bridges project.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced that multiple projects will begin next week. This includes resurfacing and bridge work on I-96 in Kent County, Silver Ridge bridge replacement in Keweenaw County, and the next phase of work on the Revive 275 project in Wayne County.

Beginning on Monday, April 24, MDOT will resurface approximately three miles of I-96 from Cascade Road to M-11 (28th Street).  They say the project also includes bridge improvements on Burton Street over I-96 and resurfacing the ramps at the I-96/M-11 interchange.

This project is expected to be completed by mid-November. Drivers should expect lane closures and traffic shifts. Burton Street is scheduled to be closed over I-96 from June through August, with traffic detoured using Patterson Avenue, M-11 and Kraft Avenue.

Work will begin on Tuesday, April 25 on the Silver Ridge bridge replacement project as part of a $2.9 million investment to remove and replace the bridge this summer. This project is expected to be completed by July 2023.

During the project, traffic will be detoured for approximately 10 weeks via a posted route on US-41. The M-26 closure will be just west of the western entrance to Brockway Drive, about 10 miles from Copper Harbor.

Set to begin on Monday, April 24, the Revive275 project is moving into the phase of repairing and rebuilding over 25 miles of roads and bridges. Though this project is expected to be completed by late July, it seems like a much bigger project.

Beginning Monday, April 24, eastbound M-153 (Ford Road) ramp to northbound I-275 will close through late July. The detour will be eastbound M-153 (Ford Road) to southbound I-275, then to US-12 (Michigan Avenue) to northbound I-275.

Starting at 7 a.m., Monday, May 1, northbound I-275 ramps to eastbound and westbound I-94 will close through early July. As far as detours for this project, MDOT said Northbound I-275 traffic will continue north to Ecorse Road, then head westbound on Ecorse Road to southbound I-275, then southbound I-275 to eastbound or westbound I-94.

Another project will begin at 7 a.m., Monday, May 1, eastbound I-94 ramp to northbound I-275 will close through early July.

Lastly, beginning 7 a.m., Monday, May 8, westbound I-94 ramp to northbound I-275 will close through early July. Eastbound and westbound I-94 traffic will use southbound I-275 to eastbound Eureka Road, then to northbound I-275 as a detour.

By the end of construction season, MDOT says they will have fixed nearly 20,000 lane miles of road and bridges.

Nowadays, it seems like car manufactures and designers are putting more and more features in new cars. Sometimes, it's to make the car sleeker in appearance or give the car or give the driver more benefits with their vehicle. Many drivers can become intimidated or overwhelmed by the technology of cars. From cruise control and assisted parking to Bluetooth connection and more.

In a poll by SWNSDigital.com, they found the top new car features people struggle with the most. They gathered their data by polling 500 car owners with vehicles less than two years old. The results showed 20 pieces of technology in a car that "baffle modern car owners."

According to the poll, 68 percent of the "struggle to get to grips with everything." While 40 percent don’t believe they're using their car to its full potential. Also found in the research, is that it took about six months for 55 percent to discover their car came with certain features.

Dr Martha Newson, cognitive psychologist who facilitated the consumer study said they proved that over half of drivers are missing out on the full experience of their vehicle. "With any car purchase being one of life's bigger spends, drivers should take more time understanding the tech available at their fingertips, so they don't miss out on safer, more comfortable and more pleasurable experiences, every time they get in the car," said Newson.

The feature that most people feel that they aren't using happens to be cruise control.  It's been around for quite some time. Surprisingly, at the bottom of the list is blind-spot alert, massage seats, and 360-degree cameras. Some may find features like a heated steering wheel, remote engine start, and climate control easy.

You can view the full list here.