OKEMOS, MI - The Ingham County Road Department (ICRD) began construction on Bennett Road on July 14th. After wear and tear over the years and complaints from residents, the ICRD decided to temporarily close the road to completely repave.

The project consists of removing the existing pavement, milling it off, regrading the gravel, and repaving on top of that. The project will replace Bennett's road surfaces from Okemos Road to Hagadorn Road through the round-about.

Along with the paving work, the ICRD will be replacing drains and storm sewer pipes that are deteriorated as well as correcting some subdivision intersections and repairing some of the swamp areas. The ICRD hopes that overhauling much of the road will minimize future maintenance.

The project is expected to take place until September, but the ICRD hopes to avoid inconveniencing residents too much.

"Because of the schools on Bennett Road, they have to have the first layer of asphalt put down by August 29th," says Dan Troia, Project Engineer for the ICRD.

According to Troia, Bennett Road is one of the more popular routes and has been continually repaired over the years. After the first layer of asphalt is laid, the ICRD plans to lift the detour to allow students and parents better access to the schools in the area.