I-96 lane closures start March 24 in West Michigan

Starting Monday, March 24, one lane of eastbound I-96 near Portland will close for construction. The closure will be in effect from 9 a.m. and is expected to last until mid-April. During this phase of the project, westbound traffic will be moved onto the eastbound side of the highway. A temporary barrier wall will be used to separate the two directions of traffic. Ramps for westbound vehicles at M-66 and Jordan Lake Road will be closed, but eastbound ramps will remain open. This construction is part of a larger three-year project to rebuild 8 miles of I-96 in Ionia County. Work on the highway will continue until November 2026, with significant improvements planned for westbound lanes next year. The project includes drainage upgrades, new culverts, guardrails, and concrete curbs. The funding for this project comes mainly from a $3.14 billion road funding package supported by state officials. The project is funded through a bonding program that allows for significant investment in road construction. For details on this project and other road closures, the Michigan Department of Transportation has an online construction map available. Please note that the work is dependent on weather conditions.