ESCANABA — Residents in the U.P. can expect a significant amount of road construction in 2025.

According to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), there are 37 projects scheduled around the U.P., including 25 roads, nine bridges and other miscellaneous projects.

The projects vary from road rebuilding and restructuring to bridgework, carpool lots, traffic signals, and railroad crossing work.

“Around the U.P., we’ll see a lot of orange barrels this year,” said MDOT Superior Region Media Representative Daniel Weingarten.

Roughly $85 million will be invested in by MDOT in the U.P. for transportation infrastructure.

Expected costs for the project are $54.5 million for roads, $23 million for bridges, $1.7 million for region-wide pavement crack sealing, and $5.6 million in regional pavement markings.

MDOT has several projects slated in and around Delta County, including resurfacing major roads.

“In Delta County, we’re planning to mill and resurface about 1.8 miles of M-35 from Lakeshore Drive to US-2 in Escanaba, a $1 million project. We’ll also mill and resurface 2.4 miles of US-2 from East of Danforth Road to 18.3 Road. That’s about a $1.7 million project,” Weingarten explained.

Close to the Delta/Schoolcraft county line, MDOT will resurface 2.5 miles of US-2 from the M-183 intersection to the county line, a $4 million project.

Also, in Schoolcraft, MDOT plans to resurface 10.6 miles on M-149 from north of US-2 to the Palms Book State Park entrance. The $1.8 million project is expected to take place from late June to late August.

Several projects are scheduled in Menominee County, including a $4.6 million project to resurface 12 miles from Dunkas Road to the Delta County line and widen the existing paved shoulders from three to eight feet.

In a separate project, MDOT will widen the shoulders of M-35 from Jimtown Road to J.W. Wells State Park.

Other projects in the U.P. include repaving the passing relief lane on M-69 between Crystal Falls and Sagola in Iron County, as well as concrete deck repairs on the M-95 bridge over the E&LS railroad south of Randville in Dickinson County.

In addition to the scheduled projects, MDOT is working on a project carried over from last year’s schedule, the rebuilding of the I-75 overpass over Cheesman Road north of St. Ignace. Weingarten said MDOT began preliminary work on the overpass last fall.

The $9 million project involves rebuilding the overpass, including deck replacement, bearing replacement, substructure repairs, beam end repairs, and steel cleaning and coating.

“This project is scheduled to be completed in two years, with work on northbound I-75 to be completed in 2025 and southbound I-75 in the 2026 season. No work will occur during winter shutdown periods,” Weingarten said.

Preliminary work began on April 1 in Marquette on a $5.2 million project to resurface almost six miles of US-41 from south of the M-94 east junction to north of Kunde Road.

The work includes asphalt crushing, shaping, and resurfacing; grading; guardrail; and pavement markings.

Weingarten said the major work is expected to begin in mid-May with a project end date of Sept. 15.

One lane of alternating traffic will be open on US-41 using traffic regulators.

Weingarten said MDOT has not yet finalized start dates for many of the 37 projects.

“It’s still early – we’re having pre-construction meetings with contractors this spring to determine start dates. Spring weight restrictions are still in effect for the entire Upper Peninsula, which can delay the movement of large machinery,” he explained.

Depending on the weather, the restrictions could be lifted in the coming weeks.

Weingarten recommends visiting Michigan.gov/drive to look at the interactive MiDrive map.

There, motorists can see which projects are active, what lanes are closed, and possible detours.

“Check your route before you start out. Drive alertly and cautiously all the time, but especially in work zones,” Weingarten said.