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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

August 14, 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 five road and bridge repair projects this week including rebuilding a bridge on I-96 in Eaton County, bridge maintenance on Old US-23 in Livingston County, road and bridge rebuilding on I-75 in Monroe County, resurfacing and repairing I-75 in Oakland and Genesee counties, and road and ramp improvements to M-29 in St. Clair County. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 5,965 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.”     

Bridge Rebuild on I-96 in Eaton County  

MDOT will close a section of the Grand River to watercraft under I-96 at Billwood Highway in Eaton County for beam setting beginning on Monday.    

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. 

"Repairing and rebuilding decaying infrastructure, such as the I-96 bridge near Dimondale, underscores our commitment to the safety and growth of our Eaton County community," said state Senator Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing). "I am thrilled that MDOT has committed $44 million to repairing I-96, which will enhance highway safety in mid-Michigan and support over 500 good-paying jobs."

“This bridge rebuilding project will support hundreds of good-paying jobs in the area and provide a better driving experience for residents traveling on I-96,” said state Rep. Angela Witwer (D-Delta Township), chair of the House Appropriations Committee. “Every day, residents and truck drivers utilize this stretch of freeway to commute to work and transport their goods. Repairing these bridges are a great investment in both our community and our state’s economy.”

County:	Eaton
Highway:	I-96
Closest city:	Dimondale
Start date:	Monday, August 14, 2023
Estimated end date:	Friday, August 18, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Signs notifying boaters to avoid the work zone will be placed at upstream and downstream access sites when this work is occurring. Buoy lines will also be in place to prevent boaters from entering the project area.
Safety benefit:	This overall project will 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 Maintenance on Old US-23 in Livingston County   

MDOT will begin bridge maintenance on Spencer Road over US-23. Beginning Monday, Spencer Road will be closed between Buno Road and Old US-23.  

This work is part of MDOT's ongoing $162 million investment to extend the US-23 Flex Route from north of 8 Mile Road to I-96. The project consists of less than 7.5 miles of hot-mix asphalt rebuilding and improvements, shoulder widening, interchange reconfigurations, bridge replacement, and improvements at nine structures. The US-23 Flex Route Phase 2 extension focuses on traffic safety, operations, infrastructure condition, and the directional peak period congestion along the US-23 corridor.    

MDOT built the first Flex Route on US-23 between M-14 and 8 Mile Road in 2016 and 2017. That work involved installing an active traffic management (ATM) lane with other safety improvements, as well as operational improvements and addressing condition needs. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 1,960 jobs.  

County:	Livingston
Highway:	Old US-23/Spencer Rd.
Closest city:	Brighton
Start date:	Monday, August 14, 2023
Estimated end date:	Monday, August 21, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Westbound traffic will be detoured via southbound Pleasant Valley Road, westbound Grand River Avenue, and northbound Old US-23 back to Spencer Road.     Eastbound traffic will be detoured via southbound Old US-23, eastbound Grand River Avenue, and northbound Pleasant Valley Road to Spencer Road.      Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes.
Safety benefit:	These improvements will provide increased safety and mobility in this area of US-23, which is a significant state, national, and international trade corridor.

MDOT Livingston

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.  

Road and Bridge Rebuilding on I-75 in Monroe County   

MDOT will close the Luna Pier Road ramp to northbound I-75 for rebuilding Monday. Work is expected to be finished at the end of the month.   

MDOT is investing approximately $126 million to rebuild more than four miles of I-75 between Erie Road and Otter Creek, including rebuilding five bridges along with the ramps at Otter Creek and Luna Pier roads. Most work for this project will be performed in 2023-2024. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 1,525 jobs.    

County:	Monroe
Highway:	I-75
Closest city:	Monroe
Start date:	Monday, August 14, 2023
Estimated end date:	Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	This work will require closing the eastbound/westbound Luna Pier Road ramp to northbound I-75. Traffic will be detoured via M-125, Dunbar Road, and Laplaisance Road to northbound I-75.      Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes.
Safety benefit:	These improvements will provide increased safety and mobility in this area of I-75, which is a significant local and national trade corridor.

MDOT Monroe

Resurfacing and Repairing I-75 in Oakland and Genesee Counties   

MDOT I-75 project between M-15 (Ortonville Road) and the Oakland/Genesee county line continues with resurfacing and repairing of the roadway along with bridge repairs and other improvements. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 1,936 jobs.  

County:	Oakland/Genesee
Highway:	I-75
Closest city:	Clarkston
Start date:	Monday, August 14
Estimated end date:	2027
Traffic restrictions:	Beginning 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14, eastbound Holly Road will have one lane open over I-75 for bridge repairs, with a temporary traffic signal.    Current closures:  Rattalee Lake Road is closed over I-75 for bridge repairs until late September.  Grange Hall Road has one lane open over I-75 for bridge repairs until late August.  Belford Road is closed over I-75 for bridge repairs until early September.    Southbound I-75 has the left lane closed from Baldwin Road in Genesee County to Clarkston Road in Oakland County.  Northbound I-75 has the left shoulder closed from Clarkston Road to Baldwin Road.   Holcomb Road is closed over I-75 for bridge repairs until Monday, Aug. 14.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the safety and operations of the roadway while extending the life of the pavement on an important route for commuter, commercial, and tourism traffic.

MDOT Oakland

Road and Ramp Improvements to M-29 in St. Clair County   

MDOT will invest $965,000 to improve 1.6 miles of M-29 from Oakland Avenue to Clinton Avenue in the city of St. Clair. Work includes concrete patches and sidewalk ramp improvements compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 12 jobs.  

"Fixing the roads does more than save us money on tire repairs--it ensures our neighbors with disabilities are able to access employment and recreational opportunities,” said state Senator Kevin Hertel (D-St.Clair Shores). “I am excited to see this revitalization of M-29 and the benefits it will bring to our community."

County:	St. Clair
Highway:	M-29
Closest city:	St. Clair
Start date:	Monday, August 14, 2023
Estimated end date:	October 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Beginning Aug. 14, drivers should expect a single-lane closures from Clinton Avenue to the north city limits. This is expected to be in place through early September.     Following Labor Day weekend, M-29 from Oakland Avenue to Clinton Avenue will be detoured via Bree Road, St. Clair Highway, King Road, and Fred Moore Highway.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the safety and operations of the roadway while extending the life of the pavement.

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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