Oakland County Puts in $151,000 ‘Mumble Strip’ Project to Cut Down Fatal Crashes

Starting October 8, 2025, workers will install mumble strips across 12 miles of Oakland County roads. The focus falls on specific sections of Orion Road and Dixie Highway.

A federal safety grant backs the $151,000 project. These strips send warning signals to cars that drift over the center line, yet keep the noise minimal, to avoid bothering nearby residents. Unlike standard rumble strips, these create less outside noise while still warning drivers inside their vehicles.

"Alerting drivers that they have crossed the center line is important because center-line crossover crashes are the most common type of serious-injury and fatality crashes on Michigan's roads," said the Road Commission for Oakland County in a news statement, as reported by WWJ News Radio.

The first phase starts on Orion Road between Rochester Road and Flint Street/Miller Road. Staff with flags will direct traffic through work zones.

After Orion Road wraps up, work shifts to Dixie Highway—from Oak Hill Road to Davisburg Road. Cars can still use the highway during construction, though inside lanes will close in stages.

The project spans five areas: Lake Orion Village, Orion Township, Oakland Township, Rochester Hills, and Springfield Township.

To cut down on traffic issues, crews won't work during peak drive times. With good weather, the whole project should finish by mid-October 2025.

The choice of mumble strips came down to two key points: they keep nearby streets quiet while still protecting drivers on the road.