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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

July 6, 2023

Governor Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects Starting Next 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 next week including rebuilding work on US-10 in Bay County, repairing work on US-12 and M-60 between M-139 and Leet Road in Berrien and Cass counties, resurfacing work on the M-100 and M-43 intersection in Eaton County, Bird Drain culvert replacement project on M-15 in Genesee County, and resurfacing work on US-127 in Gratiot County. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 627 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.”    

US-10 Rebuilding Project in Bay County

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin the next phase of US-10 construction in Bay County. This work will require lane closures in both directions of US-10 while crews prepare to shift all traffic to the eastbound side. This work is part of an overall $32.8 million investment to rebuild westbound US-10 from 7 Mile Road to Bay City. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 397 jobs.

County:	Bay
Highway:	US-10
Closest city:	Bay City
Start date:	July 10, 2023
Estimated end date:	November 2024
Traffic restrictions:	Beginning Monday, July 10, both directions of US-10 will be reduced to one lane between I-75 and 7 Mile Road. These lane closures are expected to be in place until approximately Tuesday, July 18, when crews will shift all traffic to the eastbound side where it will remain until this phase of construction is complete this November. Also beginning July 18, the southbound I-75 ramp to westbound US-10 will also be closed and detoured via southbound I-75, M-84, northbound I-75, and westbound US-10. The Three Mile Road bridge remains closed for construction and is expected to reopen to traffic before the Labor Day holiday weekend.
Safety benefit:	This project is intended to improve the pavement conditions of westbound US-10 and address important bridge repairs to ensure operations and safety of the road. This phase of detouring will allow the contractor to safely rebuild the westbound lanes of US-10.

US-12 and M-60 Pavement Repairs in Berrien and Cass Counties

MDOT will invest $5.4 million to repair 14.8 miles of pavement on US-12 and M-60 between M-139 and Leet Road south of Niles in Berrien and Cass counties. Work includes concrete pavement patching and milling and resurfacing asphalt pavement. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 66 jobs.

“I am thrilled to see this significant investment in our region's infrastructure. The repairs to US-12 and M-60 will not only enhance the safety and quality of our roads, but they will also create job opportunities for our community,” said state Representative Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph). “This is a step towards rebuilding and revitalizing Berrien County, and I am proud to be a part of it.”

County:	Berrien and Cass
Highway:	US-12 and M-60
Closest city:	Niles
Start date:	July 10, 2023
Estimated end date:	October 20, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Drivers should expect single-lane closures. There will be intermittent total closures with posted detours.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the driving surface of the road and extend the life of the roadway.

M-100 and M-43 Resurfacing Project in Eaton County

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin resurfacing and installing pavement markings and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant sidewalks at the M-100/M-43 (Saginaw Highway) intersection in Grand Ledge on Monday. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 23 jobs.

“To see these investments in infrastructure and accessibility is astonishing. These improvements will support our whole community,” said state Representative Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing). “I'm proud that Michigan's infrastructure project reflects our commitment to leave nobody behind as well as continue to improve our state roads and highways.”

County:	Eaton
Highway:	M-100 and M-43
Closest city:	Grand Ledge
Start date:	July 10, 2023
Estimated end date:	August 4, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Drivers should expect lane closures on M-100 and M-43. Alternate routes are advised.
Safety benefit:	This work will provide drivers with fresh pavement markings and a smoother, safer driving surface. The ADA-compliant sidewalks will be more accessible for all users.

M-15 Bird Drain Culvert Replacement Project in Genesee County

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will detour M-15 traffic for the Bird Drain culvert replacement project and to complete grade changes to improve sight distance at M-15 near Coldwater Road. This work is part of an overall $11.3 million to resurface nearly 7 miles of M-15 in Genesee County from Potter Road to Dodge Road. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 137 jobs.

County:	Genesee
Highway:	M-15
Closest city:	Davison
Start date:	July 10, 2023
Estimated end date:	August 8, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Beginning July 10, drivers will be detoured via Richfield Road, Irish Road, and Mt. Morris Road. This detour is expected to be in place for 30 days.
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.

US-127 Resurfacing Project in Gratiot County

MDOT will invest $313,000 to resurface US-127 Business Route (BR) from Emerson Street to Barber Street in the city of Ithaca. Work includes resurfacing, ramp improvements compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and pavement markings. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support four jobs.

County:	Gratiot
Highway:	US-127 BR
Closest city:	Ithaca
Start date:	July 10, 2023
Estimated end date:	August 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Traffic will be maintained with lane closures and traffic shifts. Both directions of traffic will remain open at all times.
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.

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.  

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