Michigan Department of Transportation

I-96/Cascade Road Diverging Diamond Interchange

Grand Rapids, MI

Benesch served as Construction Manager for the reconstruction of the state of Michigan’s second Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at Cascade Road and I-96. Comprised of multiple construction and staging areas with more than 11 sub-stages for each of the interchange’s six ramps, the project scope included 2.05 miles of pavement and hot mix asphalt removal and resurfacing, grading, drainage, concrete curb, gutter, sidewalk and ramps, signals, freeway lighting, signing, ITS, guardrail, high-tension cable barrier, bridge replacement, and pavement markings.

More than 20,000 vehicles a day from businesses, multiple clinics and hospital, retirement homes, schools and private residences were impacted by the project. Construction of multiple temporary roadways was therefore required to maintain traffic and construction accessibility. Benesch played an active role in monitoring the traffic staging and MOT plans and worked with MDOT to coordinate signage updates and communications with stakeholders to keep them informed of changing traffic patterns throughout the site.

Project highlights

  • Second Diverging Diamond Interchange in Michigan
  • Construction of multiple temporary structures to facilitate traffic during construction