Dan LaLone
Contributing Writer
(Joanne Williams/TCJ: In an effort to improve big truck traffic on Cochran Avenue, MDOT is proposing changing four lanes to three including a center turning lane)
State transportation officials are moving forward with a 2026 trunkline project that will resurface and reconfigure portions of two major highways through Charlotte, following recent approval by the Charlotte City Council and months of public discussion.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) plans roadway improvements on M-79 (Lawrence Avenue/I-69 Business Loop) and M-50 (Cochran Avenue) as part of its 2026 construction program in Eaton County. City Council formally approved the MDOT work on M-79 at its January 12, 2026, meeting, clearing the way for operational changes through downtown. Council members cited anticipated safety improvements and MDOT’s coordination with city leaders and residents during the planning process.
MDOT previously hosted a public open house October 29, 2025, at Charlotte City Hall, where residents, business owners and local officials reviewed design displays, asked questions, and submitted comments on the proposed work. Feedback from that meeting helped shape the final design that was brought before council.
Construction is expected to begin in March or April, weather permitting, and continue through Michigan’s typical construction season into early fall. Work will be staged to limit disruption, though drivers should expect periodic lane closures, reduced speed limits, temporary traffic shifts and short-term delays, particularly during milling, paving, and striping. Access to downtown businesses will be maintained throughout construction.
The project includes resurfacing M-79 from Vanlieu Street to Harris Street and M-50 from Beech Highway south to the M-79 intersection. Crews will mill the existing pavement and place new layers of hot-mix asphalt to improve ride quality and extend pavement life. New striping and traffic markings will follow, including lane lines, turn arrows, crosswalks and parking delineations.
The most significant change will occur along M-79 through downtown Charlotte. From Lincoln Street to Pleasant Street, roughly 10 city blocks, the roadway will be reduced from four travel lanes to three. The new configuration will include one center turn lane, one travel lane in each direction, and a buffered area separating moving traffic from on-street parking.
MDOT calls the redesign a “road diet,” and officials said the change is intended to reduce crash potential by limiting conflict points between vehicles, especially turning cars and parked vehicles. By creating a more predictable traffic flow, the project aims to calm speeds, improve pedestrian safety, and enhance access to downtown businesses. Officials note that similar designs in other communities have reduced collisions and improved traffic consistency while maintaining overall travel capacity.
Public reaction has been mixed. Online discussions, including posts on local Facebook pages, show some residents welcoming smoother pavement and safer streets, while others are concerned about potential congestion during peak hours. MDOT officials emphasized that traffic will be monitored and adjustments considered after construction is complete.
Residents can learn more about the project, view maps, and provide feedback by visiting the MDOT project page at Michigan.gov/MDOT Charlotte M-79/M-50 Improvements.
The project does not include new traffic signals, roundabouts, major widening, bridge reconstruction, or significant utility relocation.
Officials say the Charlotte improvements are part of a broader statewide effort to preserve pavement, improve safety, and enhance traffic operations on Michigan’s trunkline routes.
