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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

August 28, 2023 

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

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin multiple road repair projects this week including resurfacing and installing sidewalks on M-100 in Eaton and Clinton counties, rebuilding the I-69 and the M-78 ramp in Eaton County, resurfacing M-109 in Leelanau County, and extending the US-23 Flex Route in Livingston County. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 4,524 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-100 Resurfacing in Eaton and Clinton County

MDOT will begin resurfacing and installing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant sidewalks on M-100 from Main Street to Grand River Avenue in Grand Ledge on Monday. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support six jobs. 

"This week we continue our investment in safe and accessible transportation options that work for all Michigan residents as MDOT begins resurfacing and installing sidewalks in Eaton and Clinton counties for ADA compliance, said state Representative Dievendorf (D-Lansing). “Michigan's future is bright and accessible, and we are leading every day, building back better and for all Michiganders."

County:	Eaton and Clinton
Highway:	M-100
Closest city:	Grand Ledge
Start date:	Monday, August 28, 2023
Estimated end date:	Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Drivers should expect lane closures and traffic control regulators. Alternate routes are advised.
Safety benefit:	This work will provide drivers with a smoother, safer driving surface. The ADA-compliant sidewalks will be more accessible for all users.

Rebuilding the I-69 and the M-78 Ramp in Eaton County 

MDOT will begin rebuilding the I-69 ramp to Ainger Road and the M-78 ramp to southbound I-69 as part of the ongoing $210 million investment to rebuild I-69 between Island Highway in Charlotte, Eaton County, and I-94 in Marshall, Calhoun County. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 2,541 jobs. 

“Rebuilding the I-69 and the M-78 ramps will support over 2,500 good-paying jobs in our community and ensure a smoother driving experience for all,” said state Representative Witwer (D-Delta Twp). “These ramps are utilized every day, both residentially and commercially. Repairing these ramps are a great investment in transportation for Eaton County and the state of Michigan.”

County:	Eaton
Highway:	I-69
Closest city:	Charlotte
Start date:	Friday, August 25, 2023
Estimated end date:	Saturday, September, 30, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	This work will require the southbound I-69 ramp to Ainger Road and the M-78 ramp to southbound I-69 to be closed and detoured for the duration of this work. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes.
Safety benefit:	This work will result in a smoother, safer ride for motorists.

  MDOT

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.

Resurfacing M-22 M-109 in Leelanau County

MDOT will invest $1.4 million to resurface 11.5 miles of M-109 from the M-22 south junction to west of Forest Haven Drive, and M-22 from Ottawa Avenue to north of West MacFarlane Road in Leelanau County. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 17 jobs.

“I am looking forward to improved driving conditions for 103rd constituents and visitors as we continue to fix the damn roads across the state, including here in northern Michigan,” said state Rep. Coffia (D-Traverse City). I’m committed to continuing to work on improving our infrastructure across the 103rd.”

County:	Leelanau
Highway:	M-22 and M-109
Closest city:	Empire and Glen Arbor
Start date:	Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Estimated end date:	Friday, October 27, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Drivers should expect daytime lane closures and traffic regulators Monday through Friday each week.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the driving surface of the road and extend the life of the roadway.

Extending the US-23 Flex Route in Livingston County

MDOT will be closing multiple ramps along US-23 in the Brighton area Tuesday, Sept. 5, during a stage shift on the Flex Route project:

The northbound US-23 ramp to eastbound I-96,
The eastbound/westbound Lee Road ramp to northbound US-23, and
The northbound US-23 ramp to Lee Road (remains closed until Sept. 19)

Northbound US-23 will have lane closed from Silver Lake Road to I-96 as well.

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:	US-23 and I-96
Closest city:	Brighton
Start date:	Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Estimated end date:	Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Traffic restrictions:	During the closure of the northbound US-23 ramp to eastbound I-96, traffic will be detoured via westbound I-96 and Spencer Road to eastbound I-96. During the intermittent closures of the eastbound and westbound Lee Road ramp to northbound US-23, traffic will be detoured via southbound US-23 and Silver Lake Road to northbound US-23. This work will also require closing one lane on northbound US-23 from Silver Lake Road to I-96. 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.

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, 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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