Major 75th St. Construction to Begin by April

Expect major construction to widen and resurface 75th Street to begin in late March or April, county officials said Wednesday. 

The county held an informational open house about the project at . On display were graphics depicting the changes to be made to 75th Street, including a proposed bike path and sidewalk reconstruction.

Motorists can expect temporary lane closures in either direction as the work gets underway, though two lanes should be open in each direction at night and on weekends throughout the project, said Christopher Snyder, county engineer.

At the 75th Street and Lemont Road intersection, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction for about three weeks during both the first and second stages of construction. 

The project involves widening 75th Street from two lanes in each direction to three lanes in each direction between Woodward Avenue and Lyman Avenue. The 75th Street and Lemont Road intersection will be completely reconstructed to include a right turn lane and two left turn lanes on 75th Street. 

A bike path will be added along the south side of 75th Street between Woodward Avenue and Lyman Avenue, sidewalks will be reconstructed, new traffic signals will be installed, a concrete curb and gutter will be added and storm sewers will be improved. 

75th Street will be resurfaced between I-355 and Woodward Avenue and also on Woodward Avenue, Lemont Road and Lyman Avenue. 

Construction on 75th St. is expected to continue through October, "with proper cooperation from the various utilities that need to relocate their facilities," according to the pamphlet.

The construction contract has been awarded to Central Blacktop based on their low bid of $11,168,959.  

Construction will be completed in three stages, according to a county pamphlet: 

First stage 

The westbound lanes along 75th Street will be narrowed so that the north side can be constructed. At the 75th Street and Lemont Road intersection, only one thru lane and one left turn lane in each direction will be open for part of this stage. 

Second stage 

The eastbound lanes along 75th Street will be narrowed so that the south side can be constructed. At the 75th Street and Lemont Road intersection, only one thru lane and one left turn lane in each direction will be open for part of this stage. 

Third stage

The existing median will be reconstructed and the entire roadway will be resurfaced and new pavement markings installed. 

Work on an advance storm water project near Village Greens began last year and should be completed by the end of March.