ALLEGAN COUNTY, Mich. — A new road construction project is underway in a busy and confusing intersection in Allegan County. Drivers now have to take a detour while the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) works on a $7 million roundabout in Allegan.
This construction is impacting many, and not all Allegan residents are happy about it.
"I can't even back in. I would back into my driveway so I could get out a lot easier. But there's no way I can safely back into my driveway, not with these crazy people on the road," said Marie Adams, Allegan County resident and mother.
MDOT is in the process of resurfacing M-89 from 29th Street up to M-22 in the city of Allegan. Construction on the roundabout started Sunday at the M-89, M-40 and Hubbard Street intersection. This five-road intersection has been a traffic safety concern to the community. Allegan City Manager, Joel Dye, said this new roundabout will improve commutes and road safety.
"We talked about improving that intersection, you know, the safety of that intersection and trying to just, you know, make it easier for traffic to flow through there. And we realized at that time that a roundabout was the best option," said Dye.
MDOT hosted a meeting earlier this month to discuss and map out the construction of the roundabout and get feedback from the community. Even though this roundabout was created to improve roads, not all residents are happy about it and the construction impacting traffic in the community.
"I try to back out of my driveway and I will sit for like 10, 15 minutes, and I get to the point where I gotta get my kid. So I get out, there's, luckily, there's a middle lane for turning. So I can back out into that. But it's super dangerous because people are going like 40, 50 miles an hour on a 35 mile per hour road. So it's not an ideal situation, especially with kids in the car," said Adams.
Others who live in the area are in favor of the construction to improve traffic in growing Allegan County.
"Try to look at the big picture hopefully the traffic issue because there is an issue here will be resolved after this is done. And then it won't be a problem anymore. The construction is bad now but it's gonna be over," said James Moes.
Crews will also be working on sidewalks and ramps in the area. Construction is expected to last until November.
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