Farmington Hills drivers navigating lane closures on 12 Mile Road face months more of single-lane traffic as a pavement rebuild stretches from Drake Road to Farmington Road and from Novi Road to Haggerty Road, with completion projected in late fall.
The project, managed by the Road Commission for Oakland County and continuing into a 2027 second phase, carries an approximately $12.2 million total price tag according to the RCOC project page. Contractor Cadillac Asphalt started on the Drake-to-Farmington segment July 13 and expanded to the Novi-to-Haggerty segment Aug. 3. Crews are removing existing pavement, laying new asphalt, patching concrete west of M-5 to Novi Road, installing ADA-compliant crosswalks and pedestrian signals, upgrading SMART bus stops, and repairing curbs and gutters. A pedestrian-crossing beacon (HAWK signal) will also go in at White Plains Drive.
One lane remains open in each direction throughout construction.
The project is funded with federal dollars and contributions from RCOC, Farmington Hills, Novi and Oakland County through the Tri-Party Program. A Phase 2 segment covering Haggerty Road to Drake Road is scheduled for 2027.
Relief coming on Orchard Lake Road
Drivers detouring around the southbound Orchard Lake Road closure between south of 11 Mile Road and Hull Road should see relief Monday, Aug. 24 — the target completion date for the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner's Office sanitary sewer repair there, according to The Oakland Press. The current detour routes traffic along 11 Mile Road to Powers Road to 10 Mile Road and back to Orchard Lake Road.
Four projects, one city
The 12 Mile Phase 1 work joins three other active Farmington Hills road projects:
- 12 Mile Road, east of Orchard Lake Road to Autumn Ridge: A 1.3-mile, $3.3 million resurfacing project by Pro-Line Asphalt of Washington Township, including traffic signal modernization at 12 Mile and Middlebelt. That stretch carries roughly 26,000 vehicles daily. Expected completion: early September.
- 10 Mile Road culvert replacement over the Rouge River east of Middlebelt Road: A $1.5 million project replacing the culvert, repaving, removing a boardwalk, and adding sidewalk improvements. Expected completion: October.
- Southbound Orchard Lake Road sewer repair: Projected completion Aug. 24.
Altogether, the city announced approximately $30 million in road and infrastructure improvements for 2026, funded through a federal grant, the 2018 and 2024 road millages, and the city's water fund. Jacob Rushlow, director of public services for Farmington Hills, said in the city's April construction announcement that the projects reflect the city's commitment to maintaining safe, reliable roads and utilities for residents and businesses.
Residents with questions about RCOC projects can email [email protected] or visit rcocweb.org. Project-specific email updates are available through the city's website at fhgov.com.
