MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Construction is expected to begin this month at the intersection of Jolly Road and Okemos Road as well as between Dobie Road and Meridian Road.

Between Dobie and Meridian, repaving, drainage upgrades and four-foot wide shoulders on both sides for cars to pull over. Ingham County Road Department Project Engineer, Dan Troia, said the road is in need of rehabilitation. Pipes will be replaced along the road so, for the residents who live between Dobie and Meridian, they will have to find alternative routes.

"So every time we replace a pipe, those people will have to be aware of where that is and use the alternate route if they cant get the direction they want to go," Troia said.

At the intersection, repaving and drainage upgrades will also be performed along with signal upgrades and additional right turn lanes to the north, south and eastbound approaches.

"The Jolly Road approaches to Okemos Road will also be resurfaced and widened," he said.

Turning will not be allowed at the intersection during construction.

"Our plan is to keep at least one lane of traffic in each direction at all times," Troia said.

For the local businesses, they will have to suffer through the construction. "In the short term, it will affect our business because there are no turn lanes," Big John Steak and Onion Okemos Store Manager, Cole Beahlen, said.

He said in the long run, it will help customers get to the business easier.

Both projects are set to be finished by Labor Day.