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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

June 20, 2023

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

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin multiple road repair projects this week including repaving and guardrail replacements on I-94 in Berrien and Van Buren counties and rebuilding a portion of I-94 in Jackson County. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 2,062 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. Let’s roll up our sleeves and keep getting things done.”    

I-94 Repaving in Berrien and Van Buren counties

MDOT will invest $484,000 to resurface portions of eastbound and westbound I-94 between Coloma, Berrien County, and Hartford, Van Buren County. Planned work includes paving, guardrail replacement, and new pavement markings. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support five jobs. 

County:	Berrien and Van Buren
Highway:	I-94
Closest city:	Coloma, Watervliet, and Hartford
Start date:	Monday, June 19, 2023
Estimated end date:	Monday, June 26, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Drivers should expect nightly single-lane closures from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the driving surface of the road and extend the life of the roadway.

I-94 Rebuild in Jackson County

MDOT will close the Dearing Road entrance ramp to westbound I-94 for rebuilding in Jackson County.

This work is part of the I-94 Jackson project rebuilding nearly 13 miles of I-94 in Jackson, Albion, and Parma in Jackson County.

“This project is key to ensuring the success of the I-94 corridor,” said state Sen. Sue Shink (D-Northfield Twp.). “I am grateful for the jobs supported by this project, and I know it will have a lasting impact on Jackson County.”

County:	Jackson
Highway:	I-94
Closest city:	Parma Jackson
Start date:	Monday, June 19, 2023
Estimated end date:	Friday, July 21, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	This work will require closing the Dearing Road entrance ramp to westbound I-94. Traffic will be detoured via Dearing Road to Michigan Avenue. Motorists should expect delays.
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 Gov. Gretchen 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 improves the condition of the state's infrastructure. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 2,057 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.   

###  