The Oceana County Road Commission (OCRC) is pleased to announce plans for a comprehensive reconstruction of Polk Road from 64th Avenue to Oceana Drive, a major corridor serving residents, businesses and visitors traveling through the region. The project represents one of the most significant local transportation investments in recent years and is designed to improve safety, mobility and long‑term infrastructure resilience.
The reconstruction will introduce several key upgrades, including a modern roundabout at the intersection of Polk Road and 72nd Avenue, a corridor‑wide lane diet with lane widening to create two through‑lanes and a dedicated center left‑turn lane and new storm sewer infrastructure. Additional improvements include new sidewalks, curb and gutter, and enhanced streetscaping to support walkability and strengthen the visual character of the corridor.
The Polk Road reconstruction project has officially entered the design phase, during which engineers are finalizing roadway geometry, utility coordination, safety enhancements and streetscape elements. Construction is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2027, with substantial completion expected by the fall of 2027. OCRC is coordinating closely with local partners to ensure the project is delivered efficiently and with minimal disruption to residents and businesses along the corridor.
OCRC recognizes that a project of this scale will create temporary impacts for motorists and businesses. To minimize disruptions, the reconstruction will be completed using part-width construction and directional detours. This approach allows crews to work efficiently while keeping at least one direction of travel open at all times. Access to all businesses along the corridor will remain available throughout every phase of the project, ensuring customers, employees and deliveries can continue to reach their destinations safely and reliably.
A major focus of the project is improving safety for all roadway users. The redesigned corridor will enhance both vertical and horizontal sight distance, giving drivers clearer visibility of the roadway ahead and more time to react to changing conditions. The lane diet and addition of a center left-turn lane will reduce rear-end and turning-related crashes by separating turning traffic from through-traffic and reducing unnecessary lane-changing. These improvements work together to create a more predictable, easier-to-navigate roadway environment.
Roundabout at 72nd Avenue:
Proven Safety Benefits
The new roundabout at Polk Road and 72nd Avenue is a key safety feature of the project. Modern roundabouts are widely recognized as one of the most effective intersection designs for reducing severe crashes. National research shows that roundabouts can reduce fatal and injury crashes by up to 82%, thanks to several built-in safety advantages:
• Lower vehicle speeds that reduce crash severity
• Improved traffic flow and capacity, especially during peak travel times
• Fewer conflict points compared to traditional signalized intersections
• Safer pedestrian crossings, supported by splitter islands that provide a protected refuge area
• Simplified decision-making, with drivers yielding rather than navigating multiple signal phases
These benefits make the roundabout a long-term investment in community safety and mobility.
This project is made possible through an MDOT turnback agreement that allocates more than $6 million toward improvements along Polk Road. OCRC also secured a competitive safety grant specifically to fund the construction of the roundabout at 72nd Avenue — a location identified as a priority for reducing crashes and improving traffic flow.
OCRC will host a public hearing on the Polk Road reconstruction project on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 from 6-7 p.m. at the Michigan State University West Michigan Research Station, 5185 N. Oceana Dr., Hart, MI 49420. Residents, business owners and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend, learn more about the project and share feedback with the project team.
