Southbound I-75 exit ramp to US-23 in Mackinaw City to close May 31 for bridge rebuilding

GAYLORD, Mich. ­- The southbound I-75 exit ramp to US-23 (Exit 338) in Mackinaw City will be closed starting May 31 as contractors begin removing and replacing the ramp’s bridge beams and deck, part of a larger project this season to rebuild and repave sections of the highway.  

Once the ramp is closed, drivers planning to stop in Mackinaw City or head east on US-23 toward Cheboygan will be directed to take Exit 339 and detour on Jamet Street, Louvigny Street, Central Avenue, and Nicolet Street. This detour will be in place through October.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is investing $12.3 million to rebuild and resurface US-23 from I-75 to east of South Huron Avenue and I-75 from Old M-108 (Exit 337 – Nicolet Street/Mackinaw Highway) to the Mackinac Bridge, as well as replace the southbound US-23 exit ramp bridge beams and deck over I-75. Much of the I-75 road work will require shoulder or single-lane closures with traffic shifts.

The project also includes rebuilding the I-75 ramps at Jamet Street (Exit 339) and Nicolet Street (Exit 338), upgrades to the I-75 bridges over the D&M Railroad and Central Avenue, and reconfiguring the US-23/Nicolet Street intersection for a new traffic signal installation. The project is scheduled to be completed by mid-November.

Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 155 jobs. Details on the project are available on the project website.