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MDOT says it coordinates detours and utility work with local agencies; water-main replacements decided case by case
Summary
MDOT told the committee it coordinates detours with local road agencies, sometimes paves detour routes, and that replacing water mains or sewer lines during road projects depends on ownership, cost and local participation.
Committee members asked how MDOT coordinates project detours and whether MDOT pays to repair or upgrade local roads that accept detoured traffic.
Demetrius Parker said coordination occurs regularly: "coordination has and and continues to take place, amongst the areas. ... A lot of the regions ... have annual meetings where they meet with their locals to talk about, hey, this is the projects we have going on in, say, 2026, '27, '28." He cited a past example where MDOT coordinated with Jackson County and paved Blackman Road after detouring traffic from an I‑94 project.
On utility and water-main replacements, Parker said responsibility depends on ownership and local agreement. He described a Williamston example in which MDOT rebuilt a 6‑inch line but the locality wanted an 8‑inch line and agreed to pay the difference. "A lot depends on who owns those sewer leads," he said. MDOT said full reconstruction projects (which dig to subgrade) are the typical moment to replace buried utilities; short pavement overlays normally do not trigger utility replacement unless the local owner requests it.
Why it matters: Coordination affects local road wear, project cost and timing. Committee members said the practice of detours and local impacts warrants clarity so counties and municipalities can budget and plan.
Ending: MDOT said it will continue coordination with local road agencies and work with counties and cities to identify cost-sharing opportunities where utility work or paving of detour routes is needed.
