In a memorandum presented to the Paw Paw Village Council during a July village council meeting, Paw Paw Village Manager Bryan Myrkle said the village was recently notified by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) that the planned reconstruction of M-40, rescheduled for 2030, has been rescheduled again, this time for 2028. Myrkle said in the memorandum, “As you likely remember, this is an extensive project that would reconstruct M-40 through the village, including the replacement of two bridges, one over the Paw Paw River near Warner Vineyards, and the other over Interstate 94. The original plan included the installation of roundabouts similar to those in Mattawan, however MDOT has indicated that some details of the plan may be changed or updated.” He continued, “This poses some challenges for the village as we had originally planned to coordinate water main replacement with this project, but it was set-aside when it was determined to be impractical to undertake separately on our own. Now we will have to work on resurrecting that portion of the project as it remains the most opportune time to do it.” The proposed design would see M-40 shift more toward the west over I-94. The week of Sept. 21-25 was declared National Roundabouts Week by the Federal Highway Administration. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has installed roundabouts at various intersections, when appropriate, for several years. According to the FHWA, roundabouts reduce intersection crashes resulting in death or injury by an average of 82 percent. They also reduce traffic delays by 62 to 74 percent while often costing less than traditional signalized intersections over their lifespan due to lower maintenance and operational requirements. Several cities across Michigan and in several other states have been aggressive about installing roundabouts. One in Indiana is considered the roundabout capital of the United States.
Project Details
Location: The I-94 and M-40 (Kalamazoo Street) interchange in the village of Paw Paw.
Design: A dual-roundabout configuration designed to improve safety, accommodate non-motorized travel, and reduce traffic delays.
Scope: Reconstructing the interchange and replacing the aging M-40 bridge over I-94 (originally built in 1960) as part of a broader multi-million dollar investment.
Timeline Adjustments: Initially slated for 2025, local updates and scheduling shifts by MDOT have moved portions of the extensive M-40 reconstruction and bridge work timeline closer to 2028.
Photo illustration courtesy/MDOT
How would that work with semi trucks? Why can’t we just put a light in where the off ramp is from I-94 South and on-ramp for I-94 East? That bridge over I-94 was supposed to be reconstructed years ago and all they did was just patch the potholes. What we need more is for Kalamazoo Street to be redone from the light at tractor supply all the way down to the light on the corner of Kalamazoo Street and Michigan Ave. And the bridge to be redone properly.