Meeting Monday on closure of Square Lake ramp

By Lisa Brody

Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is holding a meeting regarding a potential highway ramp closure in Bloomfield Township on Monday, February 27, from 4-7 p.m. at Centerpoint Marriott, as well as rebuilding Square Lake Road from Woodward to I-75.

This project involves rebuilding the I-75 Business Loop, which is Square Lake Road, from Woodward Avenue to I-75 in Bloomfield Township, and the cities of Pontiac and Bloomfield Hills in Oakland County. As part of the project, the Square Lake Road ramp to eastbound I-75 is being studied for removal.

In an email to the community, Bloomfield Township Supervisor Dani Walsh wrote, “Due to concerns of delays to motorists, delays for emergency and public safety vehicle response times, an increase of drivers cutting through neighborhoods, and installation of unsightly large towers/poles, I did not give township approval on this project.”

She further wrote that triggered the requirement that MDOT provide a public meeting to hear directly from the residents and business owners who will all be affected by changes in the area. “

There were other options provided by MDOT that did not include removing the Square Lake ramp. These higher cost options are not included in their final plan,” Walsh wrote. She also said she requested a public meeting after work hours when all residents and business owners could attend.

Walsh did not return calls for comment.

According to MDOT, the project also includes replacing the pavement, improving storm sewer, ramp improvements at the Opdyke Road interchange, and safety improvements. Walsh wrote, “In addition to the removal of the ramp, there are suggested communication towers/poles that the administration also does not currently support. The suggestions measure up to 100 feet tall and will be unsightly in our area.”

Currently, the project is scheduled for 2024.