New 'mumble strips' are being installed in several Oakland County communities, with the goal to reduce crashes

road work sign
Photo credit Getty Images

(WWJ) In the interest of safety, the Road Commission for Oakland County says it's working on installing more “mumble strips” on approximately 12 miles of roads.

RCOC said work will take place beginning this Wednesday on sections of Orion Road in Lake Orion Village, Orion Township, Oakland Township and Rochester Hills, and also on Dixie Highway in Springfield Township.

Mumble strips, like the more common rumble strips, alert drivers when they cross the centerline. The difference: mumble strips generate less noise outside the vehicle, reducing disturbance for nearby residents, while creating similar interior sound to keep drivers alert and improve safety.

"Alerting drivers that they have crossed the center line is important because center-line crossover crashes are the most common type of serious-injury and fatality crashes on Michigan’s roads," the RCOC said, in a news release Monday.

Work is scheduled to begin Oct. 8 on Orion Road, from Rochester Road to the Flint Street/Miller Road/Orion Road. Contractors will direct traffic with flaggers during the work, and drives should expect some delays.

Once that's completed, crews will move to Dixie Highway from Oak Hill Road to Davisburg Road.

This work will take place outside of peak traffic hours. Dixie Highway will remain open, but drivers should expect moving inside lane closures.

The approximately $151,000 project is primarily funded through a federal safety grant. Weather-permitting, work is expected to be completed by mid-October.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty Images