MDOT outlines Main Street reconstruction in St. Joseph, asks Berrien County for support

John Smith, Michigan Department of Transportation project manager, told the Berrien County Board of Commissioners that MDOT plans to reconstruct Main Street in St. Joseph from Central Avenue to the Blossomland Bridge and to rebuild Port and Ship streets, replacing roadway pavement and municipal utilities and adding streetscaping and pedestrian refuge features.

MDOT recommends a full-closure detour for the downtown portion of the job, beginning after Labor Day 2027 and completing the downtown work by Memorial Day 2028, and asked the board for a resolution of support as the project moves from design toward construction.

The project limits MDOT described include Main Street from Central Avenue north to the Blossomland Bridge, Port and Ship streets through the downtown corridor, and a short resurfacing segment on Niles Avenue (M-63) between Winchester and Main Street. Much of Main Street is planned as full reconstruction — "replacing everything under the road," Smith said, including storm sewer, sanitary sewer and water main, plus new traffic signals and streetscaping. He said portions between the Morrison Channel bridge and the Bicentennial Bridge will be rehabilitation work (asphalt resurfacing) rather than full reconstruction.

Why it matters: MDOT said the work will affect county buildings and operations adjacent to the corridor, including the Berrien County administration building, courthouse and sheriff's office. County staff and sheriff's office representatives participated in MDOT stakeholder meetings, and MDOT presented staging and access plans intended to preserve driveway and emergency…