RELEASE: Gov. Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects Starting This Week in Five Counties

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

August 7, 2023

Gov. Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects Starting This Week in Five 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 including repaving M-37/I-94 Business Loop (BL) in Calhoun County, bridge deck pouring on M-99 in Ingham County, bridge repairs on M-65 in Iosco County, repair work on I-96 in Kent County, resurfacing work on M-5 in Wayne County, and rebuilding projects on M-85 in Wayne County. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 167 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-37/I-94 BL Repaving in Calhoun County

MDOT will invest $895,000 to repave 2.1 miles of M-37/I-94 Business Loop (BL) (Columbia Avenue) from Skyline Drive to Helmer Road in Battle Creek. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 11 jobs.

County:	Calhoun
Highway:	M-37/I-94 BL
Closest city:	Battle Creek
Start date:	August 7, 2023
Estimated end date:	October 27, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7, through 6 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 10. From Aug. 10 through Oct. 27, there will be daytime single-lane closures with traffic regulators.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the driving surface of the road and extend the life of the roadway.

M-99 Bridge in Ingham County

MDOT will close southbound M-99 (Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard) under I-96 in Ingham County for deck pouring. This work is part of a three-year, $44 million investment on I-96 to rebuild the eastbound and westbound I-96 bridges over Billwood Highway, the Grand River, and to perform maintenance on the I-96 bridges over M-99 and Washington Avenue. Most of the work will be completed in 2023 and 2024 with road construction and crossover removal taking place in 2025. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 532 jobs.

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.

County:	Ingham
Highway:	M-99 I-96
Closest city:	Lansing
Start date:	August 8, 2023
Estimated end date:	August 9, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	This work will require closing southbound M-99 under I-96. Northbound M-99 will remain open. Motorists should follow posted detours or seek alternate routes.
Safety benefit:	Performing regular maintenance on bridges helps improve and extend the service life of these structures. Closing roads during this type of work is necessary to provide the safest work area possible for crews and motorists.

Bridge Repairs on M-65 in Iosco County

MDOT will invest $433,000 to make concrete repairs and guardrail upgrades on two M-65 bridges in Iosco County: one over the Au Gres River and the other over Johnson Creek. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support five jobs.

County:	Iosco
Highway:	M-65
Closest city:	Whittemore
Start date:	August 7, 2023
Estimated end date:	October 20, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Drivers should expect one open lane of alternating traffic controlled by temporary traffic signals.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve safety and extend the service life of the bridges.

I-96 Repair Project in Kent County

MDOT is investing $2.5 million to improve approximately eight miles of I-96 from Whitneyville Avenue to the Kent/Ionia county line. Work includes full-depth concrete pavement repairs and shoulder resurfacing. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 30 jobs.

“I am extremely excited to see the improvements to I-96 right here in the 80th District,” said state Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids). “This project adds to the long list of roads that have been fixed under Governor Whitmer’s administration. While we will all experience some delays, we also know that orange barrels and construction workers mean better infrastructure and a thriving economy. I’ll continue to work with the Governor to fix our highways, roads and bridges here in West Michigan and throughout the state.”

County:	Kent
Highway:	I-96
Closest city:	Grand Rapids
Start date:	August 7, 2023
Estimated end date:	November 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Lane closures and traffic shifts will be in effect on eastbound I-96 between M-6 and the Kent/Ionia county line Sunday evening through Friday morning. Westbound I-96 lane closures and shifts will be in effect Monday evening through Friday morning. This work zone will utilize the zipper merge. When traffic is heavy, motorists should use both open lanes and take turns merging into one lane at the signed merge point.
Safety benefit:	This project will provide a better ride and extend the service life of the roadway.

M-5 Resurfacing Project in Wayne County

MDOT is investing $5.9 million to resurface M-5 (Grand River Avenue) between M-102 (8 Mile Road) and Lahser Road in the cities of Detroit, Livonia, and Redford Township. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 72 jobs.

“This project will not only be a vast improvement for those who travel on our roads, but will also provide jobs to hard working Michiganders, and I’m grateful that it was included in our budget,” said state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia).

County:	Wayne County
Highway:	M-5
Closest city:	Detroit, Livonia, and Redford Township
Start date:	August 7, 2023
Estimated end date:	December 2023
Traffic restrictions:	M-5 will have the far-right lanes closed in each direction between Lahser Road and M-102 (8 Mile Road) for sidewalk ramp work and sewer work.
Safety benefit:	This project will provide a better ride and extend the service life of the roadway. Closing lanes during this type of work is necessary to provide the safest work area possible for crews and motorists.

M-85 Rebuilding Project in Wayne County

MDOT is investing $5.4 million to rebuild the M-85 (Fort Street) bridges over Ecorse Creek in the cities of Lincoln Park and Detroit. The project includes replacing two superstructures; repairing concrete curb, gutter and sidewalk; replacing guardrail; and installing new signs and pavement markings. In addition, the traffic signal at the M-85/Outer Drive intersection will be modernized. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 65 jobs.

“This announcement from MDOT allocating $5.4 million for M-85 bridges over Ecorse Creek to replace superstructures and guardrail; repair concrete curb, gutter and sidewalk; install new signs and pavement markings is a necessary and significant investment in this major artery that connects Downriver and Detroit. This securement of resources is a big win for our community,” said Sen. Geiss (D-Taylor). I am also thrilled that the project includes modernizing the traffic signal at the M-85/Outer Drive intersection as the entire project will have a positive impact on the community with the new jobs it is creating and increased functionality for the community and travelers when it is complete.”

“This is a much-needed investment in the city’s infrastructure and economy.” said state Rep. Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit). “The rebuilding of the bridge and modernization of the intersection will help to ensure that our traffic flows in a safe and effective manner while bringing 65 new, good-paying jobs to our city. These are all wonderful investments and I’m happy to see MDOT undertake this project.”

County:	Wayne County
Highway:	M-85
Closest city:	Detroit and Lincoln Park
Start date:	August 7, 2023
Estimated end date:	Fall 2024
Traffic restrictions:	Beginning 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 7, southbound M-85 (Fort Street) near Outer Drive will be reduced to one lane through the late fall. Also, eastbound Outer Drive will have two lanes open at M-85. Crews will be installing a temporary wall and temporary pavement to carry traffic in future stages of the project.
Safety benefit:	This work will provide drivers with fully rebuilt structures complete with new guardrails, sidewalk, and fresh pavement markings.

Rebuilding Michigan’s Roads and Bridges   

By the end of this construction season, Michigan will have fixed nearly 20,000 lane miles of 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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