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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

July 5, 2023

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

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin multiple road and bridge repair projects this week in six counties including resurfacing work on M-28 in Chippewa County, resurfacing M-25 in Huron and Tuscola counties, repairing the Bellevue Road on ramp to US-127 in Ingham County, rebuilding the I-94 Dearing Road exit ramp in Jackson County and rebuilding the I-96 exit ramp to Novi Road in Oakland County. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 6,365 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.”    

M-28 Resurfacing Project in Chippewa County

MDOT is investing about $4.3 million to resurface about six miles of M-28 from east of Raco to M-221 in Superior Township. Work includes asphalt milling and resurfacing, guardrail, and pavement markings. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 52 jobs.

County:	Chippewa
Highway:	M-28
Closest city:	Raco, Brimley
Start date:	July 5, 2023
Estimated end date:	October 13, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Motorists should expect daytime lane closures using traffic regulators. A lane width restriction of 10 feet will be in place during the project
Safety benefit:	This project will increase safety for motorists and extend the lifespan of the roadway.

US-127 Ramp Repair in Ingham County

MDOT will close the Bellevue Road ramp to northbound US-127 in Leslie for maintenance. This work is part of the multi-year US-127 resurfacing and bridge repair project in Ingham County. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 800 jobs.

County:	Ingham
Highway:	US-127
Closest city:	Leslie
Start date:	July 5, 2023
Estimated end date:	July 26, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	This work will require closing the Bellevue Road ramp to northbound US-127. Please follow posted detours. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes.
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 1

M-25 Resurfacing in Huron and Tuscola Counties

MDOT will invest $3.3 million to resurface 10.5 miles of M-25 through Huron and Tuscola counties. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 40 jobs.

Locations include:

County:	Huron Tuscola
Highway:	M-25
Closest city:	Sebewaing Harbor Beach Caseville
Start date:	July 5, 2023
Estimated end date:	October 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Work is expected to start on M-25 near Sebewaing and Harbor Beach on July 5. The contractor will complete joint repairs, followed by resurfacing. This work is weather dependent and will be maintained with traffic regulators. Drivers are asked to use caution when approaching the work zone as crews will be working near traffic. M-25 resurfacing near Caseville is expected to begin on Sept. 5, following the Labor Day holiday weekend.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the driving surface of the road and extend the life of the pavement.

I-94 Ramp Rebuilding 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. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 2,057 jobs.

County:	Jackson
Highway:	I-94
Closest city:	Parma, Jackson
Start date:	July 5, 2023
Estimated end date:	August 4, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	This work will require closing the Dearing Road entrance ramp to westbound I-94. Traffic will be detoured via westbound Michigan Avenue, then eastbound I-94 to Dearing Road. 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.

MDOT 2

I-96 Ramp Rebuilding in Oakland County

As part of the I-96 Flex Route Rebuilding Michigan project in Oakland County, crews will begin rebuilding the Novi Road interchange. Starting at 7 a.m. Saturday, July 8, through late August, the eastbound I-96 ramp to Novi Road will be closed to be rebuilt. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 3,416 jobs.

County:	Oakland
Highway:	I-96
Closest city:	Novi
Start date:	July 8, 2023
Estimated end date:	August 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Eastbound I-96 traffic heading for Novi Road will exit before Novi Road at southbound Beck Road, then take eastbound Grand River Avenue to reach Novi Road.
Safety benefit:	These improvements will provide increased safety and mobility by improving traffic flow in this area of I-96, which is a significant state, national, and international trade corridor.

MDOT 3

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 road 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.

###