RELEASE: Governor Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects Starting Next Week in Five Counties   

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin multiple road and bridge repair projects next week including repaving portions of US-31 in Grand Traverse County, repair work on the Portage Lake Lift Bridge in Houghton County, resurfacing of US-127 and additional bridge repair in Ingham County, and bridge repair projects in Iron and Ontonagon counties. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 917 jobs.  

“Across Michigan, we are moving dirt and fixing the damn roads to drive economic activity, help Michiganders go to work, drop their kids off at school, and run errands safely,” said Governor Whitmer. “Through the end of this construction season, we will have fixed, repaired, or replaced nearly 20,000 lane miles of state-owned roads and 1,400 bridges since I took office, supporting 89,000 jobs without raising taxes by a dime. The projects we are kicking off next week will support nearly 917 jobs and make a difference for families and small businesses in Michigan communities. I’m proud of what we have accomplished through my Rebuilding Michigan program and bipartisan Building Michigan Together plan, and I look forward to building on this progress. Let’s roll up our sleeves and keep getting things done.”  

MDOT will invest $2.5 million to repave US-31 (Division Street) in Traverse City and Garfield Township from the Grandview Parkway to 10th Street, and 14th Street to South Airport Road. The project also includes drainage structure adjustments and sidewalk ramp upgrades. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 30 jobs. 

“Our region is a critical hub for our state, and a national and international destination," said state Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City). "We are actively working to ‘fix the damn roads’ in northern Michigan, as well as upgrade local water infrastructure and increase accessibility in our communities. It’s exciting to see these needed investments in Northern Michigan, including supporting good-paying jobs in our region.”

County:	Grand Traverse
Highway:	US-31/M-37
Closest city:	Traverse City
Start date:	Monday, May 15, 2023
Estimated end date:	Friday, July 14, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Drivers should expect lane closures and traffic regulators. Paving is scheduled for completion at night in early to mid-June.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the driving surface of the road, extend the life of the roadway, and bring sidewalk ramps up to current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

MDOT is investing $4.3 million in repair work on the US-41/M-26 Portage Lake Lift Bridge between the cities of Houghton and Hancock. Work includes replacement of elevators and installing false decking under a bridge span. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 52 jobs. 

County:	Houghton
Highway:	US-41/M-26
Closest city:	Houghton Hancock
Start date:	Monday, May 15, 2023
Estimated end date:	October 2024
Traffic restrictions:	During the false decking project work will require a full closure and detour of the eastbound M-26 bypass from Hancock to Dollar Bay under the bridge. From May 15-18, and again May 22-25, eastbound M-26 traffic will follow a posted detour route through downtown Houghton. Motorists are advised to seek other routes. During other phases of the project, scheduled to begin in fall 2023, traffic on the bridge will be maintained using periodic lane closures.
Safety benefit:	This repair project will help ensure continued safe and reliable operation of the bridge.

MDOT will continue the next phase of work as part of the multi-year US-127 resurfacing and bridge repair project in Ingham County. MDOT is investing approximately $62 million to resurface 12.5 miles of pavement, repair 10 structures, improve drainage, and install guardrail and barrier wall on US-127 between the Jackson/Ingham County line and M-36 in Ingham County. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 800 jobs. 

“I am excited to see MDOT’s continued investment in critical infrastructure repair in mid-Michigan,” said state Senator Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing). “Safe and secure bridges are vital, especially at a time where we have seen more people and businesses move to our region. This investment means safer roads, decreased auto repair costs for our drivers, and good-paying jobs for hundreds of Michiganders.

“U.S. 127 plays a crucial role in connecting our community and enhancing economic opportunity throughout the region,” said state Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township). “Drivers who use U.S. 127 every day have known for a long time that it needs an upgrade. This is a wise investment in one of the most important pieces of public infrastructure in the Capital Area.”

County:	Ingham
Highway:	US-127
Closest city:	Mason Leslie
Start date:	Monday, May 15, 2023
Estimated end date:	Friday, May 26, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	This work will require the closure of the US-127 southbound on-ramp from Barnes Road. Please follow posted detours.
Safety benefit:	These improvements will provide increased safety and mobility in this area of US-127, which is an important route for commuter, commercial, and tourism traffic.

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. 

MDOT plans to invest about $2.9 million to repair three bridges in Iron and Ontonagon counties. Work includes a deep overlay; epoxy overlay; joint replacement; deck, railing, and substructure patching; curb and gutter repairs; guardrail; and approach work on US-45 over the east branch of the Ontonagon River, M-64 over the Mineral River, and M-69 over the Paint River. This project includes a five-year performance warranty for the epoxy bridge deck overlay. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 35 jobs.  

County:	Iron, Ontonagon
Highway:	M-69, M-64, and US-45
Closest city:	Crystal Falls, White Pine, Mass City
Start date:	Monday, May 15, 2023
Estimated end date:	October 2023
Traffic restrictions:	During the project traffic will be maintained with one lane of alternating traffic utilizing temporary traffic signals. Detours will be necessary during some phases of the projects.
Safety benefit:	This work will extend the lifespan of the bridges and result in a smoother driving surface and increased safety for motorists.

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.   