INTERLOCHEN — The Michigan Department of Transportation will host a public open house on March 24, to discuss the upcoming $32.5 million rebuilding of US-31 near Interlochen.
The project includes the construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of South Long Lake Road and J. Maddy Parkway.
The project involves rebuilding 7.8 miles of US-31 from Sullivan Road in Grand Traverse County to Reynolds Road in Benzie County. Planned improvements include roadway widening to add center left-turn lanes, widened paved shoulders and rumble strips to improve safety and pavement conditions.
Preparation work and tree-clearing for the $32.5 million project are scheduled to begin March 23. Main rebuilding work is expected to start April 15, though the Michigan Department of Transportation noted that work could resume earlier if weather conditions allow. The 7.8-mile project area spans from Sullivan Road in Green Lake Township to Reynolds Road in Inland Township.
From April through June, crews will focus on rebuilding the north side of US-31 between Sullivan Road and the area west of J. Maddy Parkway. This phase includes the start of the roundabout construction. While southbound traffic will be maintained on the highway, northbound traffic will be detoured onto Gonder Road, Riley Road, J. Maddy Parkway, Youker Road and County Road 633. Access to J. Maddy Parkway will be closed for up to two weeks at the start of this work to allow for the construction of temporary lanes.
The second phase, scheduled for June and July, involves rebuilding the south side of US-31 and completing the roundabout. Northbound traffic will continue to follow the Gonder Road detour. During this stage, J. Maddy Parkway access to US-31 will be closed for most of the construction. South Long Lake Road will be limited to southbound traffic only, with all other traffic detoured to West Silver Lake Road and Secor Road.
Between July and November 2026, work will shift to rebuilding the stretch from the new roundabout west to Reynolds Road. Southbound traffic will remain on US-31, but northbound traffic will be redirected to Reynolds Road, Cinder Road, Diamond Park Road, Gonder Road, Riley Road and J. Maddy Parkway.
The open house is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Golden Fellowship Hall, located at 9700 Riley Road in Interlochen. MDOT staff and contractors will be present to answer questions from community members, business owners and residents.
Attendees who require mobility, visual, hearing or other assistance to participate in the meeting are asked to contact Orlando Curry, MDOT Title VI coordinator. Curry can be reached at 517-241-7462 or by email at CurryO@Michigan.gov. MDOT requests that assistance applications be submitted at least five business days before the meeting.
Rebuilding work is expected to continue through November 2026. The Michigan Department of Transportation will provide updates on the project design and detour maps through its official website.