The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) and West Bloomfield Township will begin the reconstruction of Orchard Lake Road from just north of Northwestern Highway/14 Mile Road to just south of Maple Road in West Bloomfield Township on June 12.
During the project, Orchard Lake Road will remain open with one-lane in each direction and a continuous center left-turn lane. Access to businesses will be maintained throughout the project.
The approximately $7.2 million project is funded with a mix of federal and local dollars. Local funding is shared by RCOC and West Bloomfield Township.
The approximate 0.70 mile project includes:
- Reconstruction of Orchard Lake Road
- Current five-lane configuration will be reconfigured to a four-lane, concrete boulevard with a grassy median
- Elimination of service drive on the east side of Orchard Lake Road
- Construction of eight-foot-wide pedestrian paths along both sides
- Drainage improvements
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant pedestrian crosswalks
Powers Road will close for a short time (to be announced) at Orchard Lake Road during construction so the intersection can be realigned. During the closure, the detour for Powers Road traffic will be Daly Road to Maple Road to Orchard Lake Road and vice versa.
Dan’s Excavating of Shelby Township is the prime contractor for the project. Orchard Lake Road carries approximately 44,000 vehicles daily. The project is expected to conclude in mid-November.
Orchard Lake Road reconstruction is part of the on-going Northwestern Connector Project that is intended to improve traffic flow at the point where Northwestern Highway ends at Orchard Lake Road. For more information on the Northwestern Connector Project, visit:
Northwestern Connector Project ( http://www.nwconnector.com/).
