Commuters attempting to transverse the confluence of Ellsworth Road and State Street in Pittsfield Township, just south of Ann Arbor, can expect to face more roundabout detours to avoid the roundabout construction zone that has shut down that intersection since early June.

The most recent update reported on Ann Arbor.com back in August stated that the project was at least showing progress, as the section of Ellsworth Road west of State Street that has been under construction would open to accept traffic flow, while the section of Ellsworth east of State would be closed. It was estimated that this latest closure impacting those who have to navigate through this beehive work zone, where traffic running in both directions on State Street would be maintained while one of its usual two lanes will continue be closed, would stretch into at least mid-September.

Although it is no doubt disrupting a number of area residents' lives, businesses roundabout the intersection are staying open for the project's duration. Additionally, the $2.4 million improvement project coordinated by the Washtenaw County Road Commission is transitioning into its third phase, and thereby inching (like commuter traffic at the intersection) closer to its completion target of late September.

Initiated in 2012 by Pittsfield Township as a proactive solution to many of the anticipated traffic hassles, problems and issues have likely coincided with the opening of a new Costco store at 771 Airport Blvd. The large national retailer is reportedly footing about $500,000 of the construction bill, with payment for the remaining costs taken care of via two federal grants.

Pittsfield Township formed a partnership agreement with the City of Ann Arbor to split $42,000 spun off from the project, which will ostensibly go toward prettying up the roundabout intersection once construction's completed with some concrete stamping work.