After more than seven months of construction, Sashabaw Road is now open from I-75 to just south of Clarkston Road in Independence Township.
The majority of the funding for the $4.8 million-dollar project was provided by the township, while the remainder was funded by Road Commission for Oakland County and Oakland County general government through the Tri-Party Program.  
“Independence Township’s financial commitment to this project is greatly appreciated,” RCOC Managing Director Dennis Kolar said. “Sashabaw Road was extremely congested in this area, and the widening will help alleviate traffic backups while improving safety.”
The road construction began on April 22 and included reconstruction and widening the road to five lanes from I-75 to Clarkston Road. There are now two through lanes in each direction as well as a continuous center left-turn lane and right-turn lanes where warranted.
Other changes included modification of traffic signals, installation of new water main leads, improved drainage, and installation of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalks and crosswalks.
In the late fall of 2018, sanitary-sewer work and tree removal took place. This advanced work helped the contractor, Dan’s Excavating, complete the project this year. 
“RCOC appreciates the patience of everyone while improvements were made to the road,” Kolar added. 

— Matt Mackinder