Motorists who have long complained about the condition of Orchard Lake Rd. south of 14 Mile will see some relief coming later this year – after they muddle through a few months of road construction. 

Replacement of the damaged pavement was approved by the Oakland County Federal Aid Task Force funding committee Feb. 7, which allows the Road Commission for Oakland County to start paving this summer.

“This project has been a high priority for the Road Commission for some time,” RCOC Board Chairman Eric Wilson said. “We are very pleased that funding became available, and we were able to move the project forward.”

Wilson added that this will be the final step in the resurfacing of the entire stretch of Orchard Lake Road between 12 Mile and Lone Pine roads.

Funds became available when one project previously scheduled was moved to 2013. The committee agreed to split the available money between RCOC’s Orchard Lake Road resurfacing project and the City of Novi’s proposed resurfacing of 9 Mile Road between Beck and Taft roads.

The Orchard Lake project, which includes base repair and resurfacing, is expected to cost approximately $1.2 million, with just over $830,000 paid for with federal funds. The remainder of the cost will be shared by RCOC and the City of Farmington Hills.

RCOC expects completion in the fall.