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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

May 31, 2023

Governor Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects Starting Next Week in Three Counties   

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin multiple road projects next week including road improvements on M-40 in Allegan County, rebuilding sections of I-94 in Jackson County, and resurfacing work and other safety improvements to US-41/M-28 in Marquette County. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 2,162 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, Jackson and Marquette counties will support 2,162 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.” 

M-40 Road Improvements in Allegan County

MDOT is investing approximately $3 million to improve M-40 (Lincoln Avenue) from 136th Avenue to 48th Street in the city of Hamilton. The project also includes realigning the intersection at 48th Street, upgrading the traffic signal at 136th Avenue, adding a left-turn lane north of 136th Avenue, and drainage improvements. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 36 jobs.

County:	Allegan
Highway:	M-40
Closest city:	Hamilton
Start date:	Monday, June 5, 2023
Estimated end date:	October 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Lane closures and traffic shifts will be in effect on M-40.
Safety benefit:	This project will increase safety and improve the ride quality.

I-94 Ramp Rebuild in Jackson County

MDOT will close the westbound I-94 exit ramp to Michigan Avenue 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.

County:	Jackson
Highway:	I-94
Closest city:	Parma Jackson
Start date:	Monday, June 5, 2023
Estimated end date:	Friday, June 23, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	The westbound I-94 exit ramp to Michigan Avenue will be closed to rebuild a portion of the ramp. Traffic will be detoured via the Concord Road exit ramp to North Concord Road to Michigan Avenue.
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.

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

US-41/M-28 Resurface and Safety Improvements in Marquette County

MDOT is investing about $5.7 million in joint repairs, resurfacing and safety improvements on 6.2 miles of US-41/M-28 from Iroquois Drive to Brickyard Road in the city of Negaunee, Negaunee Township, and Marquette Township. Work includes asphalt resurfacing, full-depth joint repairs, and adding left -turn lanes. Highway crossovers will be reconfigured from the east intersection with Heritage Drive to the end of the grass median east of Pond Road. This will include building truck loons, areas of pavement outside of the normal traffic lanes to provide additional room for commercial vehicles to turn. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 69 jobs. 

“I am excited to see millions of dollars in state funding coming to the Central Upper Peninsula to support our infrastructure," said state Rep. Jenn Hill (D-Marquette). "Improving our roads makes travel safer and ensures the availability of good-paying jobs. I will continue advocating for these critical investments that our communities need.”

County:	Marquette
Highway:	US-41/M-28
Closest city:	Negaunee, Marquette
Start date:	Monday, June 5, 2023
Estimated end date:	Late September 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Motorists should expect shoulder and single-lane closures. Some of the paving will take place at night to reduce traffic impacts. Individual crossovers will be closed for rebuilding, though alternating crossovers will be left open.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve safety by eliminating dual-direction crossovers, reducing conflict points and providing deceleration lanes.

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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