Newburgh Road Construction Is Here. Here’s What Westland Drivers Need to Know
If you drive Newburgh Road through northern Westland, you probably already noticed something changed this week.
The orange barrels are out.
The City of Westland began the first phase of construction on Newburgh Road Tuesday, September 8, closing the three center lanes and shifting traffic in both directions onto the curb lanes. The city says access to homes and businesses will remain open during construction.
But what exactly are they doing?
We went looking.
This isn't just another patch job
The project covers Newburgh Road from Warren Road north to Joy Road.
According to the city's bid documents, crews will be removing and replacing sections of concrete pavement, upgrading ADA sidewalk ramps and installing permanent pavement markings.
That's roughly the stretch many Westland residents use to get between Warren Road, Ford Road and the Livonia border.
And if it feels like construction follows you no matter which direction you go lately, you're not imagining things.
Livonia is warning its own residents about the Westland project because southbound Newburgh traffic coming out of Livonia will encounter the construction after crossing Joy Road.
How long is this going to last?
Here's the part drivers really want to know.
The original project documents called for the work to be substantially completed by October 30, with final completion scheduled for November 13, 2026.
Construction schedules can change because of weather and other conditions, but this isn't expected to be a couple-day inconvenience.
We're looking at Newburgh Road construction potentially continuing well into fall.
You can still get to the businesses
This is important.
The city says access to each property will be maintained while the work is underway.
So don't assume your favorite restaurant, store or business along Newburgh is inaccessible just because you see barrels.
Traffic is being maintained in both directions.
It may just take a little more patience getting there.
And Newburgh isn't the only road project nearby
Just north of Westland, additional Newburgh Road work has been underway between Plymouth Road and Ann Arbor Trail, including concrete replacement, guardrail work and traffic-signal modernization.
MDOT also has the massive M-14/I-96 reconstruction underway around Newburgh and I-275. That project includes rebuilding freeway pavement and ramps, bridge work, drainage improvements, lighting and other infrastructure.
So yes.
Newburgh Road is going to test everyone's patience for a while.
But at least this time when you're sitting between orange barrels wondering what they're actually doing, you'll know.
They're rebuilding portions of the road beneath you.
And if everything stays close to schedule, the worst of the Westland portion should be behind us around Halloween.
Voice of Westland will keep watching the project and let you know when traffic patterns change.
