SANDS TWP., Mich. (WZMQ) – A modern roundabout is coming to the intersection of M 553 and County Road 480 in Sands Township, known by locals as “The Crossroads”. The project, scheduled for 2029, is a partnership between MDOT and the Marquette County Road Commission, with each agency covering half of the estimated $2.8 million cost.
“So this will be constructed beginning in the spring of 2029. We hope to finish it in one year. We’re looking at a single lane roundabout at the intersection of M 553 and County Road 480,” said MDOT spokesperson Dan Weingarten.
MDOT officials say the intersection has long been a concern because of the heavy traffic and congestion along the busy corridor connecting Marquette, Gwinn, and the Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport.
“It’s a very important roadway, and the problems that we’ve been seeing there with delays were certainly creating a lot of calls for us to take a look at what we could do,” said Weingarten.
The intersection has not seen a pattern of serious crashes, and although drivers frequently experience backups during peak travel, it was not a priority for state funding. What made it possible was the shared cost.
“So, really, the partnership with the county here, where they’re shouldering 50% of the project cost, is what has made this possible,” explained Weingarten.
More details about construction timelines and traffic impacts are expected closer to the start of the project. Further details will be available on the MDOT website https://www.michigan.gov/mdot
