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

May 30, 2023 

Governor Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects Starting This Week in Four Counties    

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin four road and bridge repair projects this week including bridge improvements on five bridges over I-196 in Allegan County, rebuilding a ramp on I-96 in Calhoun County, resurfacing of I-75 in Genesee County and upgrading an interchange on I-94 in Jackson County. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 4,342 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 in Allegan, Calhoun, Genesee and Jackson counties will support more than 4,300 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.”   

Bridge Improvements in Allegan County   

MDOT will invest $8.3 to improve five bridges over I-196 in Allegan County. The project involves deck replacement, rebuilding approaches, substructure improvements, and slope restoration. Bridges to be improved include the two Blue Water Highway bridges over I-196 at exits 36 and 41, as well as 107th, 109th, and 114th avenues over I-196. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 100 jobs.  

"I am very excited to see improvements to the bridges over I-196 and our overall infrastructure here in Allegan County and in the state of Michigan," said state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph). "I am appreciative of Governor Whitmer and MDOT's dedication to our community."

County:	Allegan County
Highway:	I-196
Closest city:	Saugatuck
Start date:	Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Estimated end date:	October 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Lane closures and traffic shifts will be in effect on I-196. The bridges over I-196 will be closed and detoured.
Safety benefit:	This project will extend the service life of these bridges and improve the ride quality.

Ramp Rebuild on I-96 in Calhoun County

There will be single-lane closures on eastbound I-94 at I-69 in Marshall starting Tuesday as crews continue work to rebuild the northbound I-69 ramp to eastbound I-94 as part of MDOT’s three-year, $210 million project to rebuild I-69 between Island Highway in Charlotte, Eaton County, and I-94 in Marshall, Calhoun County. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 2,667 jobs.   

County:	Calhoun
Highway:	I-69
Closest city:	Marshall
Start date:	Tuesday May 30, 2023
Estimated end date:	Friday, June 2, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Eastbound I-94 will have one lane closed at I-69. Motorists are advised to see alternate routes.
Safety benefit:	These improvements will provide increased safety and mobility in this area of I-69, which is a significant local and national trade corridor.

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 I-69

Resurfacing I-75 in Genesee County

MDOT will invest $5.2 million to resurface 4.2 miles of I-75 from M-54 to US-23. Work includes joint repairs, shoulder corrugations, and pavement markings. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 51 jobs.

“I applaud Governor Whitmer for her continued commitment to improving our roadways,” said State Senator John Cherry (D-Flint). “This project, while temporarily inconvenient, is another step toward making our highways safer for the many Michiganders that travel them daily.”

County:	Genesee
Highway:	I-75
Closest city:	Grand Blanc
Start date:	Thursday, June 1, 2023
Estimated end date:	August 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Drivers should expect lane closures and traffic shifts throughout the project. A full detour for northbound I-75 will be required for two consecutive nights to accommodate joint repairs. This weather dependent work is planned for June 7-8, during overnight hours, 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Seven days following joint repairs, northbound I-75 traffic will be detoured for approximately three days to accommodate milling and resurfacing. During these closures traffic will be detoured via northbound I-475 and westbound I-69. Southbound I-475 will also have nightly ramp closures during joint repairs, and some paving operations. Traffic will be detoured via Hill Road, northbound I-475, westbound I-69, and southbound I-75. Those closures will be announced in advance of their start.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the safety and operations of the roadway and provide a smoother driving surface, extending the life of the road.

Interchange Upgrades on I-94 in Jackson County

MDOT will close Seymour Road for rebuilding on Wednesday. This work is part of MDOT's ongoing $120 million investment to rebuild and widen I-94 near the Airport Road interchange to just west of the east US-127/I-94 interchange in Blackman and Leoni Township. The I-94 project involves upgrading the US-127/M-50 (West Avenue)/I-94 interchange to a diverging diamond interchange, the Elm Road interchange with roundabouts, and the Lansing Avenue bridge over I-94. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 1,524 jobs.  

County:	Jackson
Highway:	Seymour Road
Closest city:	Jackson
Start date:	Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Estimated end date:	Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	This project will require eastbound Seymour Road traffic to be detoured via Elm Road to O’Leary Road. Westbound Seymour Road traffic will be detoured via O’Leary Road and Elm Road to Seymour Road. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes.
Safety benefit:	These improvements will provide increased safety and mobility in this area of I-94, which is a significant local and national trade corridor. Closing lanes during this type of work is necessary to provide the safest work area possible for crews and motorists.

  MDOT

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.    

###   