Lengthy Road Closure Looms

By Ken DeLaat

Ok deep breath now. That bit of construction that repaved the road between Newaygo and Grant a bit before Memorial Day?
Just practice I’m afraid.
Beginning next week if you plan on going through Grant?
You’re not.
From the DOT MI Drive site:

TOTAL CLOSURE
From : 06/11/2018, 12:00 AM
To: 08/27/2018, 12:00 AM
When: Continuously
Location: On northbound M-37 from 128th Avenue north to 112th Avenue in Newaygo County.
Description: Work will include pavement reconstruction and upgraded storm sewer system. M-37 will be closed to Northbound traffic. Southbound traffic will be maintained along M-37.
Detour: Northbound M-37 traffic will be detoured east onto 128th Avenue, north onto Willow Avenue, then local traffic will be detoured west on 120th Avenue while thru traffic will be detoured west on 128th Avenue.

Some Suggested Guidelines:
 N3 World Headquarters is on Hess Lake and during the last construction our semi-quiet road became a major thoroughfare, so for those around the detour area, prepare for an uptick in traffic, particularly large slow moving vehicles with triangles on the back.

Plan accordingly. If you’re a local you know at least a dozen routes to get south without encountering Grant so use them wisely. If you are a bit, uh, challenged by directions (as in ‘don’t tell me west or east tell me right or left’) and will follow the detour remember to snare a bit of extra time because chances are the going looks to be slower than usual. Use Pandora to sooth the nerves and stay away from talk radio.

Friday afternoon? It’s already a madhouse once you get past the roundabout on Fridays and Sunday nights but this will clog stuff up a little more. Attempts to turn off or onto ‘37 might be dicier than usual with traffic coming in clumps as folks figure out the detours.
 
And lastly it’s  time to  reach inside and grab a little patience Near Northians. Why? Because  lot of those weekend travelers who might have been taken by surprise with regard to the detour are going to be exhibiting a little less composure having been tossed from their schedule.and all. 
Be kind, be forgiving, and above all, don’t wave back in the same manner that might be incoming from time to time.

For more info on road construction throughout the state go to:
https://mdotjboss.state.mi.us/MiDriveRest/public/page/construction