Since its construction in the 1940s, Mound Road has stood as a testament to Detroit's role in the transportation industry. The road evolved from a wartime production corridor to a modern hub for smart infrastructure technologies.
Originally vital to produce tanks during World War II, Mound Road has since become a critical artery linking the heavily trafficked Interstate 696 and Michigan 59—which connect I-94 and I-75, the country’s two largest interstates—that facilitates the flow of over 70,000 vehicles daily. Home to 71 major employers and countless small businesses, this 9-mile stretch is essential for the automotive, defense and aerospace sectors.
However, after decades of service, Mound Road required a significant upgrade to match its significance. The $217 million Innovate Mound project reimagined the corridor, enhanced its infrastructure with modern features and preserved its historical importance in the region's economic landscape. The project earned the No. 5 spot on our list of Top Roads of 2024.
“We’ve built a high-quality, long-lasting roadway that will support a modern, efficient, and reliable corridor,” said Director Bryan Santo, Macomb County Department of Roads. “The project includes new capabilities that will create a corridor that is forward flexible to the evolving transportation and technology needs of the future, allowing Mound Road to be used as a test bed corridor for new and emerging mobility services.”
The “innovate” piece of the project’s official title came in part from the construction and design phases, which introduced innovative materials and methods. AECOM designed the project, and contractors included HNTB, which represented Macomb County, Dan’s Excavating, which was the prime, and Ajax Paving, Inc., which was the sub contractor.
During the design phase, the team employed Bluebeam software, and that allowed multiple reviewers to comment on documents in real-time, effectively cutting the resubmittal timeframe in half. This level of efficiency was crucial as the project aimed to minimize disruptions along a corridor frequented by 70,000 vehicles daily.
During construction, a mobile concrete crusher was established on-site, highlighting the team’s commitment to sustainability. Following completion, the roadway consisted of 11 inches of high-performance concrete laid over a 16-inch open-graded drainage course, produced from recycled materials.
Additionally, new traffic signals, complete with connected vehicle roadside units (CVUs), were installed, paving the way for smart transportation technologies that would enhance traffic flow and safety.
Innovate Mound also marks Macomb County’s first project equipped with fiber optics. By layering new capabilities on top of the existing infrastructure, Mound Road is adaptable to evolving transportation technologies and serves as a test bed for new mobility services. Connected Vehicle (CV) roadside units were upgraded to support 5G and Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technologies, with field edge processing equipment reducing latency in vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication.
However, the project was not without its challenges. The project area included major facilities like General Motors’ primary automobile design and testing center, major defense contractors and Ford’s Sterling Axle plant. Ensuring uninterrupted traffic access was critical for these companies. A dedicated ombudsman facilitated communication, and the team held monthly meetings to provide updates and worked diligently to reroute traffic.
Real-time traffic management systems, including traffic cameras and Wi-Fi sensors, were utilized to monitor and manage traffic flow. These advanced systems provided valuable data, enabling the project team to make informed decisions and quickly address any issues that arose. The team also hosted regular toolbox sessions for workers to discuss potential hazards. To protect the motoring public, traffic patterns were consistently communicated through a dedicated project website and email updates.
By embracing technologies in construction and in the final corridor, prioritizing community engagement, and implementing an asset management strategy, Macomb County has addressed current transportation needs and ensured an efficient corridor for decades to come.
“The magnitude and economic impact of the Mound Road corridor is unlike any other local project in the U.S. and is the culmination of years of planning, community input and teamwork,” said Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel.
Project: Innovate Mound
Location: Mound Road between I-696 and M-59 (Sterling Heights and Warren, Michigan)
Owners: Macomb County (Michigan) Department of Roads
Designer: AECOM
Contractor: Contractor: Dan’s Excavating, Major Sub-Contractor: Ajax Paving Inc.
Cost: $217,000,000
Length: 9 miles
