MDOT's Rochester Road rebuild worries Rochester-area businesses about lost driveways
MDOT plans to rebuild Rochester Road from M-59 to the Clinton River bridge in 2027, with a second phase in 2028. The owner of three dealerships says he's been told his driveways will close for an extended time.
By OCJ Staff
Business owners along Rochester Road in the Rochester area are bracing for a state rebuild of the road that starts in 2027, and some say they're worried customers won't be able to reach them, WXYZ reported.
The Michigan Department of Transportation plans a major overhaul of Rochester Road in two phases. The first, in 2027, covers the stretch from M-59 to the Clinton River bridge and is expected to take nine months. A second phase is planned for 2028.
One lane each way, in turn
According to WXYZ, the 2027 plan keeps traffic moving one direction at a time:
- March to July: one northbound lane open
- July to November: one southbound lane open
'Devastating' for businesses, dealer says
John Fox, president of Fox Automotive, owns Chevrolet, Toyota and Volkswagen dealerships on Rochester Road near Avon Road. He told WXYZ he has met with MDOT several times.
Fox said MDOT told him both driveways into his dealerships would close for an extended period, and that customers would be expected to use Arlington to get to the back of the stores. He said there would be no signs directing them there.
Fox said the dealerships average about 220 repair orders a day and employ 200 people. He expects to add 40 drivers to pick up and deliver customers' vehicles. He said that when he raised the financial impact, MDOT told him the state owns the land and will do what it wants with it. He said that attitude would be "devastating" for businesses along the road.
Across the street, Superior Lock and Key has no rear entrance, so Rochester Road is its only access. Benjamin Lula, whose mother runs the family shop, told WXYZ that customers will need to plan around the work and that the jobs he and his father handle on the road will take longer, which could limit how many they fit into a day.
MDOT's side
MDOT did not respond to WXYZ's request for comment Tuesday. In July, the project's manager said MDOT was working with businesses to limit the impact, WXYZ reported.
WXYZ's report did not include the project's cost, the limits of the 2028 phase or any upcoming public meetings on the plan.
This project is separate from the Rochester Road construction now underway in Troy. Our earlier story covers the latest closures there.
This story uses reporting from WXYZ.