WARREN (WWJ) -- Warren's mayor is sounding off about a major construction project that's been tying up traffic in Macomb County for months.
Work to rebuild a nine-mile stretch of Mound Road, which started late last year, isn't expected to be complete until the end of this year.
The "Innovate Mound" reconstruction project, which runs from I-696 to M-59, is currently 54% complete, leaving 46% to be completed -- with landscaping and other final touches to be finished by the end of 2024.
There's a lot of frustration surrounding the project, that Mayor Jim Fouts says is just taking too long.
"And it make people want to use four-letter words that they wouldn't normally use, and I myself have gotten a little frustrated with it," the mayor told WWJ's Mike Campbell.
"We need to see what we can do. I guess we can start making roads that last longer," Fouts added. "Rather than 10, 15, 20-year roads, we need roads that last for 50 or 80 years and that's what needs to be done. But, I will look forward to the end of the 'Orange Season,' as will everybody else."
Fouts said the project is irritating residents, with supplies and equipment on grassy areas and sidewalks, and preventing access to subdivisions.
Some business owners have also been forced to close since customers cannot easily get in and out of their parking lots.
The project is a combined State and County effort.
For more details on the project, including the latest lane closure updates, visit this link.
For updates from the roads in Metro Detroit anytime, stay with WWJ during traffic and weather, every 10 minutes on the 8s.
