ROCHESTER (WWJ) — Work has begun on another long-term construction project that will leave a major Metro Detroit thoroughfare closed for the next year.
As of Monday morning, Dequindre Road is now closed between 23 Mile and 24 Mile Roads and the closure is expected to remain in place until next fall.
Crews will be ripping up the mile-long stretch of Dequindre as the Great Lakes Water Authority will install a brand new 96-inch water transmission main.
The closure runs along the borders of Rochester, Rochester Hills and Shelby Township.
WWJ’s Charlie Langton reports there is no planned disruption to water services to GLWA’s member partner communities during the work, but when the project is completed, it will improve water flow in Oakland, Macomb and even Lapeer Counties.
Stephanie Newman, who lives by the nearby Yates Cider Mill, a popular destination this time of year, told Langton she wonders if there could have been a better solution instead of a year-long closure.
“What a nightmare for everybody in this area, especially the cider mill. It’s not good. I would say they need to figure out a different way,” Newman said.
During the closure, the detour route for through traffic will be 23 Mile Road to Shelby Road, north to 24 Mile Road, west to Dequindre Road, and vice versa.
The previous road closure along Dequindre Road from south of Avon Road to Hamlin Road reopened to through traffic last Friday ahead of Monday’s work.