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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *
August 21, 2023
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*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 and bridge repair projects this week including road widening on M-96 in Calhoun County, work to open modernization project on I-75 in Oakland County, and initial rebuilding work on M-55 in Ogemaw County. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 7,800 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.”
*Road Widening on M-96 in Calhoun County*
MDOT will invest $323,000 to widen a segment of M-96 (Michigan Avenue) west of 15 Mile Road in Marshall to add a left-turn lane. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support four jobs.
“Road funding is crucially important to my constituents and Calhoun County as a whole,” said *state Rep. Jim Haadsma* (D-Battle Creek). “I’m glad that the budget invests in our roads. This is a key investment not only for the economy, but also for families’ bank accounts and public safety.”
*County:* Calhoun *Highway: * M-96 *Closest City: * Marshall *Start Date:* August 21, 2023 *Estimated End Date: * November 25, 2023 *Traffic Restrictions:* Drivers should expect a traffic shift and one lane of M-96 remaining open in each direction. *Safety Benefit:* The addition of a left-turn lane will improve safety and traffic flow.
*Work to open modernization project on I-75 in Oakland County*
MDOT will begin work (including reducing northbound I-75 to one lane from 9 Mile to 14 Mile roads) for its I-75 modernization project to repair damage from a tanker crash. The project will be completed on September 1st. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 7,623 jobs.
"This project will help all Michiganders heading to and through Madison Heights to do so safely and provide easier access to and for the communities that rely on I-75 for their livelihoods and travel,” said *state Sen. Stephanie Chang *(D-Detroit). “We are so pleased to announce this project as a priority for our state government and I look forward to seeing and using it myself in the fall."
“I’m pleased to see this project moving forward,” said *state Rep. Mike McFall* (D-Hazel Park), who represents the majority of Madison Heights. “Our new state budget, with its significant funding for road repairs, helps make projects like these possible to improve critical infrastructure in Oakland County and around the state.”
*County: * Oakland *Highway:* I-75 *Closest City:* Madison Heights *Start Date: * August 19, 2023 *Estimated End Date: * September 1, 2023 *Traffic Restrictions: * Drivers should expect a traffic shift and one lane of I-75 remaining open in each direction. *Safety Benefit: * Will repair the damaged pavement and barrier wall by 11 Mile Road caused by the Aug. 4 tanker crash.
*Initial Rebuilding Work on M-55 in Ogemaw County*
MDOT will begin initial and preparatory work (including detour route paving, rebuilding M-55/I-75 Business Loop (BL) from Margaret Street to M-30, and underground utility work) for its M-55 rebuilding project in West Branch. The majority of the project will be completed in 2024. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 173 jobs.
*County:* Ogemaw *Highway:* M-55 *Closest City: * West Branch *Start Date: * August 21, 2023 *Estimated End Date:* October 2024 *Traffic Restrictions: * Drivers should expect lane closures with temporary traffic signals, and detours on city streets. *Safety Benefit: * The lane conversion and center left-turn lane addition will improve safety for all users of the corridor, calming traffic, providing a dedicated turn lane, and providing a shorter crossing for pedestrians.
*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 [ [link removed] ], a five-year, $3.5 billion investment in our highways and bridges, and the bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan [ [link removed] ], 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 [ [link removed] ].
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