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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

April 1, 2024

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

LANSING, Mich. —  Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin road and bridge repair projects this week including highway and bridge rebuilding in Cheboygan County, highway improvements in Huron County, highway maintenance in Kent County, bridge repairs in Mackinac County, highway repairs in Oakland County, bridge repairs in Osceola County, highway rebuilding in Ottawa County, road repairs in Otsego County, bridge and highway repairs in Roscommon County, and highway repairs in Wayne county. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 5,736 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. “Since taking office, we have rebuilt or repaired more than 20,000 lane miles and 1,400 bridges, supporting over 118,000 jobs, with the Rebuilding Our Bridges program delivering hundreds of millions of dollars to fix local bridges alone. My recent budget recommendation builds on this previous work investing over $15 billion in Michigan's roads and bridges. Let’s roll up our sleeves and keep getting things done.”  

I-75 Rebuilding in Cheboygan County

MDOT is continuing the construction phase of a two-year, $52 million investment to rebuild nine miles of I-75 from Levering Road to US-31 in Cheboygan County. This year’s work includes rebuilding the northern half of the project (northbound lanes first, then southbound lanes) from Hebron Town Hall Road north to south of US-31. Work in 2023 included rebuilding the southern half of the project. The project includes removing the 1950s-era concrete roadway, which has been susceptible to joint deterioration, particularly during extreme summer temperatures. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 738 jobs.  

County:	Cheboygan
Highway:	I-75
Closest city:	Mackinaw City and Topinabee
Start date:	Monday, April 1, 2024
Estimated end date:	Saturday, November 9, 2024
Traffic restrictions:	Traffic will be maintained with directional crossovers south of Hebron Town Hall Road and south of US-31, with a movable barrier wall separating northbound and southbound traffic. The movable barrier wall will allow for two lanes of northbound traffic (one southbound) during peak traffic on Fridays, and two lanes of southbound traffic (one northbound) on Sundays.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the driving surface of the road and extend its service life.

Webb Road Bridge Deck Replacements over I-75 in Cheboygan County

MDOT will invest $4.7 million to replace the decks and beams of the two Webb Road bridges over northbound and southbound I-75, just east of Wolverine in Cheboygan County. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 67 jobs.    

County:	Cheboygan
Highway:	I-75
Closest city:	Wolverine
Start date:	Monday, April 1, 2024
Estimated end date:	Friday, August 9, 2024
Traffic restrictions:	During work, eastbound Webb Road traffic will be detoured south on I-75 to Old 27 in Vanderbilt (Exit 290) and north to Webb Road (Exit 301); westbound Webb Road traffic will be detoured north on I-75 to M-68 in Indian River (Exit 310) and south to Webb Road (Exit 301). During bridge demolition and deck pouring, I-75 through-traffic will be detoured using the Webb Road (Exit 301) off and on ramps.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the driving surface of the road and extend its This project will preserve the structural integrity of the bridges, and will include new railings and pavement markings.

M-142 Improvement Project Starts in Huron County

MDOT will close M-142 to through-traffic from M-53 to M-19 in Bad Axe during a $5.2 million improvement project. Work includes resurfacing the roadway as well as sanitary sewer and water main work. The roadway will also be widened for the addition of a center left-turn lane from Nugent Road to a half-mile east. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 74 jobs.  

County:	Huron
Highway:	M-142
Closest city:	Bad Axe
Start date:	Monday, April 1, 2024
Estimated end date:	August 2024
Traffic restrictions:	Starting April 1, M-142 will be closed to through-traffic within the project limits. Local traffic and access to homes and businesses will be maintained on eastbound M-142 while westbound through-traffic will be detoured via Carpenter Road and Learman Road to M-53. The intersection of M-142, M-19 and Carpenter Road will be converted into an all-way stop, starting April 1 and remain this way for the remainder of the project.
Safety benefit:	This work will update M-142 to support commuter and commercial traffic while improving utility infrastructure.

US-131 Improvements in Downtown Grand Rapids

MDOT is investing approximately $6.2 million to improve the northbound and southbound US-131 bridges over Plaster Creek just south of Burton Street in Grand Rapids. Work includes concrete joint repairs on US-131 from M-11 (28th Street) to Pearl Street. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 88 jobs.  

County:	Kent
Highway:	US-131
Closest city:	Grand Rapids
Start date:	April 1, 2024
Estimated end date:	Monday, June 17, 2024
Traffic restrictions:	Northbound US-131 is scheduled to be closed and detoured at M-11 (28th Street) Sunday, March 31, through May 1. During this time, one lane of northbound US-131 will remain open from Burton Street to Pearl Street. Entrance ramps to northbound US-131 will be closed from 44th Street to Market Avenue. Northbound on and off ramps will be closed at Burton, Hall, Martin Luther King Jr., and Wealthy streets. Northbound US-131 Exit 85B to Pearl Street will also close. Southbound US-131 will be closed at Burton Street for approximately four weeks after the northbound work is complete. During this time, ramp closures will be in effect and one lane of southbound US-131 will remain open from Ann Street to Burton Street.
Safety benefit:	This project will improve the ride and extend the service life of US-131.

Two-year Project to Repair US-2 Bridge over I-75 in St. Ignace

MDOT is investing $4.5 million to repair the US-2 bridge over I-75 in the city of St. Ignace. The work on this planned two-year project includes expansion joint replacement, pier cap and bearing replacement, and painting. Work began last spring and was suspended for the winter. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 54 jobs. 

County:	Mackinac
Highway:	US-2, I-75
Closest city:	St. Ignace
Start date:	Monday, April 1, 2024
Estimated end date:	October 2024
Traffic restrictions:	I-75: Traffic will be maintained in each direction at all times via the inside (passing) lanes. Lanes will be restricted to a maximum of 11 feet wide with a speed reduction to 45 mph. US-2: Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction, shifted to the north side of the overpass structure to allow work on the south half. Lanes will be restricted to a maximum of 11 feet wide with the speed reduction to 35 mph. I-75 ramps: The northbound I-75 Exit 344B ramp will be closed with traffic detoured via Exit 344A.
Safety benefit:	This work will extend the service life of the existing bridge to maintain a safe roadway for all users.

I-96 Flex Route

Weather is forcing crews on the MDOT I-96 Flex Route project in Oakland County to perform planned weekend ramp and lane closures instead on weekdays. By mid-April, traffic will be reduced to two lanes in each direction with traffic shifted to share the eastbound side of I-96 while the westbound lanes are being rebuilt. There will also be numerous ramp closures. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 3,416 jobs.

County:	Oakland
Highway:	I-96
Closest city:	Novi
Start date:	April 1, 2024
Estimated end date:	Sunday, April 7, 2024
Traffic restrictions:	Weather is forcing crews on the MDOT I-96 Flex Route project in Oakland County to perform planned weekend ramp and lane closures instead on weekdays. By mid-April, traffic will be reduced to two lanes in each direction with traffic shifted to share the eastbound side of I-96 while the westbound lanes are being rebuilt.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the driving surface of the road and extend its service life.

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.

US-10, US-10 BR Bridge Improvements over Hersey River in Reed City

MDOT is investing approximately $2.7 million to improve the US-10 and US-10 Business Route (BR) (Chestnut Street) bridges over the Hersey River in Reed City. Improvements include deck replacement, new railing, substructure repair, steel beam painting, and approach rebuilding. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 38 jobs.  

County:	Osceola
Highway:	US-10 and US-10 BR
Closest city:	Reed City
Start date:	April 1, 2024
Estimated end date:	Early September 2024
Traffic restrictions:	Daytime lane closures for prep work began this week. US-10 BR (Chestnut Street) is scheduled to close April 15 from US-10 to just south of the Hersey River near Stimson Avenue, and lane closures with traffic shifts will be in effect on US-10. Mackinaw Trail will be closed at US-10 BR and the White Pine Trail will be closed with pedestrian traffic rerouted onto the section of US-10 BR (Chestnut Street) that is closed to vehicular traffic.
Safety benefit:	This project will increase safety, improve the ride quality, and extend the service life of the two bridges.

Rebuilding I-196 BL Between Holland and Zeeland

MDOT is investing approximately $17 million to rebuild 4.5 miles of eastbound and westbound I-196 Business Loop (BL) from US-31 in Holland to 88th Avenue in Zeeland. Work includes asphalt resurfacing, full-depth concrete joint repairs, new signs, traffic signal work, and new guardrail. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 241 jobs.  

County:	Ottawa
Highway:	I-196 BL
Closest city:	Holland and Zeeland
Start date:	Saturday, April 13, 2024
Estimated end date:	Late November 2024
Traffic restrictions:	Eastbound I-196 BL will be closed and detoured from April to August, and then westbound I-196 BL will close from August to November. Traffic will be detoured to 16th Street/Adams Street.
Safety benefit:	This project will improve the ride and is a long-term investment for the service life of the corridor.

I-75 BL/South Otsego Avenue Rebuilding in Gaylord

MDOT will begin a $13.3 million investment to rebuild 2.2 miles of the I-75 Business Loop (BL/South Otsego Avenue) between southbound I-75 Exit 279 and Wisconsin Avenue/Grandview Boulevard in Gaylord. The project will include rebuilding the asphalt roadway, a new roundabout at McCoy Road, nonmotorized pathways, and streetscape improvements. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 188 jobs. 

County:	Otsego
Highway:	I-75 BL
Closest city:	Gaylord
Start date:	Monday, April 1, 2024
Estimated end date:	Friday, November 1, 2024
Traffic restrictions:	Crews will build a temporary runaround lane on the west side of the McCoy Road intersection to maintain one lane of traffic in each direction while the McCoy Road intersection is built. During this phase, McCoy Road and the alternate truck route will be closed to through-traffic, including the east side of the intersection, until the roundabout is completed. Eastbound McCoy Road traffic will be detoured on Dickerson Road, Otsego Lake Drive, South Otsego Avenue, Johnson Road, and Krys Road; westbound McCoy traffic will be detoured on Krys Road, M-32, and Dickerson Road. While the I-75 Exit 279 bridge is patched and sealed, one lane will be open in each direction with traffic shifts. During the second phase of construction, one lane will be open in each direction with traffic shifts
Safety benefit:	This project will provide separated pathways for pedestrians and bicyclists along the corridor and will improve safety and traffic flow at the McCoy Road intersection. More information about roundabouts is available at www.Michigan.gov/Roundabout.

M-55 Ramp Bridge Repairs over I-75

MDOT will invest $1.5 million to repair the M-55 ramp bridges over I-75 in Roscommon County. The project includes deck joint replacement, concrete curb and gutter, guardrail replacement, approach repairs, and epoxy sealant. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 21 jobs.   

County:	Roscommon
Highway:	M-55
Closest city:	St. Helen
Start date:	Monday, April 1, 2024
Estimated end date:	Thursday, June 20, 2024
Traffic restrictions:	This work will require closing the M-55 ramps, as well as lane closures and traffic shifts on I-75 from northbound I-75 to westbound M-55 and from eastbound M-55 to northbound I-75 from April 1 to May 24, and again for four days to complete epoxy sealing work. During those closures, ramp traffic will be detoured on Old 76/St. Helen Road, Old M-55, M-18, M-55 and M-157.
Safety benefit:	This project will preserve the structural integrity of the bridges, and will include new guardrail and pavement markings.

M-55 Resurfacing through Prudenville, Houghton Lake

MDOT will begin a $6.1 million project to resurface nearly 10 miles of M-55 from US-127 through Houghton Lake and Prudenville to the M-18 north junction, replace concrete curb and gutter, and make improvements to pedestrian path accessibility. The roadway’s existing four- and five-lane configuration will remain the same after project completion. MDOT also plans to line culverts and storm sewer pipes along this corridor as part of a separate $1 million maintenance contract. That work is expected to begin in May or June, and will be done concurrently with the resurfacing project. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 101 jobs. 

County:	Roscommon
Highway:	M-55
Closest city:	Prudenville, Houghton Lake
Start date:	Monday, April 1, 2024
Estimated end date:	Friday, September 6, 2024
Traffic restrictions:	This work will require lane closures and traffic shifts.
Safety benefit:	This project will include accessibility upgrades to the pedestrian pathway along the corridor, as well as new pavement markings.

Year 2 of M-102 (8 Mile Road) Resurfacing Project in Detroit Begins

MDOT will be starting the second year of the two-year resurfacing project on M-102 (8 Mile Road) between M-1 (Woodward Avenue) and M-53 (Van Dyke Avenue) with work beginning on the westbound side March 28. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 710 jobs.  

County:	Wayne
Highway:	M-102
Closest city:	Detroit
Start date:	Thursday, March 28, 2024
Estimated end date:	Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Traffic restrictions:	Westbound M-102 (8 Mile Road) will have two lanes open from Dequindre to John R. roads for improvements and resurfacing. The westbound M-102 (8 Mile Road) service drive will have one lane open from Merrill Avenue, west of Dequindre Road, to John R. Road. The northbound I-75 service drive will have one lane open at M-102 (8 Mile Road). The northbound I-75 service drive ramp to westbound M-102 (8 Mile Road) will have one ramp lane open. All intersections and crossovers will remain open during this stage of work. After May 8, work will move to improve the intersections of the westbound M-102 (8 Mile Road) service drive and the I-75 service drives.
Safety benefit:	The work includes hot-mix asphalt resurfacing, concrete patching, signal upgrades, sidewalk ramp improvements compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), sign replacement, drainage upgrades, and bridge work at I-75.

Rebuilding Michigan’s Roads and 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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