Rounding the bend and heading home, the single largest construction contract in the history of the Michigan Department of Transportation is proceeding nicely, thank you.

The I-75 Gateway Project involves the reconstruction of 2.5 miles of I-75 and I-96, and 18 bridges and 24 ramps. The goal of the project, which runs along the I-75/I-96 corridor from Rosa Parks Boulevard to Clark Street in southwest Detroit, is to ease traffic congestion at the Detroit-Windsor border crossing, and provide a direct connection from I-75, I-96 and other area freeways to the Ambassador Bridge.

The project began in February 2008, and was originally scheduled to be complete in December 2009, but that timeline has been moved up for completion sometime in the early fall. The project is “inching toward 80 percent complete,” said Victor Judnic, senior delivery engineer for MDOT.

MDOT, together with prime contractor Toebe Construction, its subcontractors and the building trades, have completed work on one mile of I-96 and one mile of I-75, along with three miles of new retaining and sound walls designed to minimize noise and enhance safety in neighborhoods adjacent to the freeway. Of the ramps and bridges impacted by the project, MDOT has removed four structures, replaced two and rehabilitated seven. Work on the remaining bridges and ramps is in progress and at various levels of completion.

“We’ve been able to stay ahead of any major issues, and overall it’s been a fairly smooth project,” Judnic said. The project will cost about $170 million.

He said the biggest challenge has been to coordinate with simultaneous work by the Ambassador Bridge Co., which is busy in the area erecting the plaza entrance to the bridge. (There are serious proposals to build another U.S.-Canada span next to the Ambassador Bridge or further downriver, but so far no decisions have been made).

Judnic said the roads will be paved with 13-inch slabs of concrete – slightly thicker than usual – along with the use of a “substantial” aggregate base underneath. Tining, or grooving of the concrete surfaces, will aid traction for vehicles. However, he said overall “it’s much more of a bridge project, than a road project.” A signature feature of the project will be a landmark cable stay pedestrian bridge at Bagley Street.

“The workmanship has been top-notch; we have had no quality issues with the tradespeople,” Judnic said. “We have been pleased with the work.”