I-75 resurfacing north of Gaylord remains in summer work phase through Aug. 21

As of Aug. 3, the active I-75 resurfacing segment north of Gaylord is in its scheduled summer work period, with construction affecting travel between Exits 282 and 290 in Otsego County.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is carrying out a $5.1 million project covering just less than 10 miles of I-75 in both directions, from the I-75 Business Loop and South Otsego Avenue at Exit 279 in Gaylord to Exit 290 at Vanderbilt.

Second segment runs north of Gaylord

MDOT divided the work into two segments. The earlier segment, from Exit 279 to Exit 282 south of Gaylord, was scheduled for May 13 through June 2.

The current segment runs from Exit 282 north of Gaylord to Exit 290 near Vanderbilt. MDOT scheduled that work for July 7 through Aug. 21, 2026. The Aug. 21 date is an estimated or scheduled end date, not a guaranteed completion date.

One lane remains open each way

Drivers should expect single-lane closures and traffic shifts through the work zone. MDOT says one lane will remain open in each direction, so the project is not a full highway closure.

That reduced capacity matters for Gaylord-area commuters, truck and freight operators, emergency responders and businesses that rely on I-75 access. Travelers using the corridor should allow additional time and account for changing lane patterns, particularly during work periods and other busy travel times.

MDOT has not documented specific delay times, business losses or emergency-response impacts in the project announcement. The practical effect for local users is the need to plan around a narrower, shifted travel path north of Gaylord through the scheduled summer work period.

Resurfacing is intended to extend highway service life

The project includes pavement resurfacing, new rumble strips and new pavement markings. MDOT says the work is intended to extend the service life of the highway and improve safety.

The department’s economic modeling estimates that the investment will directly and indirectly support 43 jobs. That is a modeled project estimate, not a count of local hires or permanent Gaylord jobs.

Separate from planned interchange work

Gaylord City Council’s July 13 minutes list a $289,800 payment to the State of Michigan described as the “MDOT South Otsego Project.” The minutes do not establish that the payment funded or matched this I-75 resurfacing project.

The resurfacing also should not be confused with the separate I-75/M-32 interchange rebuilding and reconfiguration project in Gaylord. MDOT identifies that larger, $54 million project as scheduled to begin in fall 2026 and continue through fall 2028.

Sources

• Michigan Department of Transportation project release
• 9&10 News local report
• Gaylord City Council meeting minutes, July 13, 2026