M-89 Five-Point Roundabout Recognized by ACEC MI

ALLEGAN, MI—The M-89 Five-Point Roundabout in Allegan, MI, has earned a Merit Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC MI), recognizing the project’s innovative engineering solutions and positive community impact.

A joint effort between the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the City of Allegan, the $7 million project transformed a complex network of roadways into a modern, five-point roundabout. The improvements have enhanced traffic flow, increased safety by reducing conflict points and provided better access to downtown Allegan—delivering immediate social and economic benefits.

Benesch provided construction management services for the new roundabout, which included 1.90 miles of hot mix asphalt resurfacing, intersection reconstruction, concrete curb and gutter installation, sewer and drainage upgrades, watermain improvements, and the addition of new sidewalks, guardrails, signage, signals and pavement markings.

The project team navigated several challenges, including complex utility relocations that required careful coordination to prevent service interruptions and inconvenient water boil advisories. Another obstacle involved efficiently delivering materials to the site. The project team implemented an innovative solution by using a portable conveyor to transfer material into small dump trucks, which then delivered the material directly to the pavers.

Maintaining access to the recently redeveloped downtown area was a key concern for community members. To minimize disruptions, the project team launched a proactive public outreach campaign to keep residents and business owners informed about construction schedules, road closures and alternate access routes. Throughout construction, access to downtown Allegan was maintained via the historic Second Street Bridge to the south and M-222 to the north.

The M-89 Five-Point Roundabout was honored on January 8 at the 2025 ACEC MI Engineering and Surveying Excellence Awards Gala. The award highlights the project’s success in enhancing safety, improving traffic flow and supporting the economic vitality of downtown Allegan.