A major rebuilding project is planned for M-40 in Lawton, and the Michigan Department of Transportation will hold an open house for residents this week. MDOT spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News the agency will rebuild M-40 from 72nd Avenue to Lagrave Street through the village of Lawton in 2023 and 2024.
“In the village, you’re going to see some total closures and some detours,” Schirripa said. “Outside the village, I’d imagine there may be a total closure here and there, especially when working over drains, replacing culverts, that kid of thing.”
The work will involve the rebuilding M-40, shoulder widening, intersection and drainage improvements, village infrastructure improvements, and tree planting. Schirripa says everyone’s invited to learn more at Wednesday’s open house.
“If we’re going to be going through somebody’s community for a couple of years, we want to be sensitive to that and give them a chance to see what’s coming before we just show up in their front yard.”
The open house will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Lawton Village Hall. Schirripa says MDOT engineers will be there to explain what’s planned. The agency prepared for the project with village officials, making sure it’s in line with the local master plan. The work will mean lane closures and some total closures. 2025 will bring tree planting. It’s expected to cost about $10 million.
