FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

May 8, 2023  

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Governor Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects Starting This Week in Eight Counties Across the State    

    

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) begins road and bridge repair projects this week including the I-94 rebuilding in Jackson County; M-35 rebuilding project in Marquette County; M-20, M-66, and Old 131 road improvement projects in Mecosta County; US-31 bridge replacement in Muskegon County; I-696 bridge improvements in Oakland County; I-94 bridge maintenance in Washtenaw County; and M-102 resurfacing in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 6,332 jobs.   

   

“We are moving dirt and fixing the damn roads in every region of our state, from Southeast Michigan all the way to the UP,” said Governor Whitmer. “This week’s projects in Jackson, Macomb, Marquette, Mecosta, Muskegon, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties will support 6,332 jobs. Since I took office through the end of this construction season, we will have fixed nearly 20,000 lane miles of road and 1,400 bridges, supporting over 89,000 jobs without raising taxes by a dime. Each project will make a real difference in people’s lives, keep drivers safe, and ensure people can get to where they need to go.”   

 

Road Rebuilding Project on I-94 in Jackson County 

MDOT will begin work on I-94 from M-99 to M-60 in Jackson County beginning Monday. This work is part of the $162 million I-94 Jackson project rebuilding nearly 13 miles of I-94 in Jackson, Albion, and Parma in Jackson County. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 2,057 jobs. 

 

“This $162 million investment in I-94, while temporarily inconvenient, is welcomed for the approximately 2,000 jobs it will support and the improvements to safety and comfort along that stretch between M-99 and M-60 that is long overdue,” said State Senator Sue Shink (D- Northfield Township). 

  

 

 

 

M-35 Rebuilding Project in Marquette County    

MDOT, Forsyth Township, and the Marquette County Road Commission plan to invest about $4.4 million to rebuild .66 miles of M-35 from east of Smith Street to the east branch of the Escanaba River in Gwinn, Marquette County. Work includes asphalt rebuilding; concrete curb, gutter, and sidewalk ramp installation; storm sewer and drainage repairs; bridge approach repairs; watermain and sanitary sewer repairs; detour route improvements; and pavement markings. Work on Southgate Drive detour route improvements is planned to start on May 8. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 53 jobs.  

  

“I’m always happy to see various levels of government working together,” said State Representative Jenn Hill (D-Marquette). “This partnership is a win-win-win for the state, county and township, and their collaborative approach will ensure our infrastructure is maintained and improved as efficiently as possible.”  

 

  

M-20, M-66 and Old 131 Road Improvement Projects in Mecosta County  

MDOT will invest $3 million to improve approximately 30 miles of roadway in Mecosta County with a mix of maintenance fixes including crack treatment, chip sealing, and asphalt pavement repairs. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 36 jobs.  

  

  

Bridge Replacement on Seaway Drive in Muskegon County 

MDOT will invest $10 million to replace the northbound US-31 Business Route (Seaway Drive) bridge over the Black Creek in Norton Shores. The southbound bridge will be replaced in 2024. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 120 jobs.  

  

 

I-696 ‘Restore the Reuther’ Project in Oakland County 

The I-696 Restore the Reuther Rebuilding Michigan project is continuing with bridge improvements and is moving to the I-696 bridges under Farmington Road which requires the closure of Farmington Road over I-696 in the City of Farmington Hills. Drake Road, which is currently closed, will reopen on Friday, May 5. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 3,328 jobs.  

 

"This is an incredible investment in the heart of a critical route for our district and its surrounding communities,” said State Senator Mary Cavanagh (D- Redford Twp). “These much-needed infrastructure repairs will completely transform this stretch of I-696 by rebuilding the roadway from the base up, greatly improving this highly traveled area for the community, visitors, and all commuters.” 

 

“I’m very excited to get this project underway here in Farmington Hills,” said State Representative Samantha Steckloff (D- Farmington Hills). “For a lot of us in my district, upgrading I-696 will make it easier, safer, and more efficient to get where we need to go. And as a member of the Transportation Appropriations Committee in the State House, I’m proud to partner together with Governor Whitmer to keep fixing the damn roads.” 

 

 

Funding for this project is made possible by Governor Whitmer's Rebuilding Michigan program to rebuild the state highways and bridges that are critical to the state's economy and carry the most traffic. The investment strategy is aimed at fixes that result in longer useful lives and improve the condition of the state's infrastructure. 

 

 

 

Bridge Maintenance in Washtenaw County 

MDOT is investing approximately $11 million for bridge maintenance. As part of this work, MDOT will be closing both Huron Street ramps to I-94 nightly from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. beginning Sunday for bridge maintenance. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 133 jobs. 

 

"For too many years, Ypsilanti residents have endured unsafe conditions as they try to cross I-94. This improvement will close a key gap that separates city and township residents and services,” said State Senator Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor). 

 

“I’m glad that MDOT has once again shown their dedication to the Ypsilanti area in bringing more construction jobs and infrastructure funding that will help our residents enjoy a long-term sustainment of quality of life,” said State Representative Jimmie Wilson Jr. (D-Ypsilanti). 

 

 

 

Resurfacing Project on M-102 

MDOT is investing $50 million to resurface approximately five miles of M-102 (8 Mile Road) between M-1 (Woodward Avenue) to M-53 (Van Dyke Avenue) through the communities of Detroit, Ferndale, Hazel Park, and Warren. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 605 jobs.  

  

 

  

Rebuilding Michigan’s Roads and Bridges     

By the end of this construction season, Michigan will have fixed nearly 20,000 lane miles of state-owned roads and 1,400 bridges. Governor Whitmer is focused on rebuilding our roads and bridges with the right mix and materials, so they stay fixed, supporting 89,000 good-paying construction jobs along the way.   

   

These and future repairs are made possible by the Rebuilding Michigan plan, a five-year, $3.5 billion investment in our highways and bridges, and the bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan, the largest one-time investment in Michigan's infrastructure in state history. These strategic investments in Michigan's infrastructure ensure that future Michiganders will have safer roads and bridges to run errands, travel, and strengthen the economy.    

    

Learn more about the Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration’s historic infrastructure investments by clicking on the following link: Infrastructure Accomplishments.    

     

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