RELEASE: Governor Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects Starting This Week in 12 Counties

LANSING, Mich. —  Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin road and bridge repair projects this week in 12 counties. The projects include rebuilding M-43 in Barry County, bridge updates in Bay County, bridge repairs in Bay, Gratiot, and Isabella counties, bridge deck replacement over I-75 in Cheboygan County, rebuilding I-475 in Genesee County, intersection improvements on M-54 in Genesee County, resurfacing projects in Gladwin County, bridge repairs in Jackson County, highway and bridge work in Kalamazoo County, bridge repairs in Mackinac County, highway rebuilding in Oakland County, and highway repairs in Van Buren County. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 3,617 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 23,000 lane miles of roads and more than 1,600 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.” 

“New laws like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are putting Michiganders to work rebuilding roads, bridges and water systems,” said U.S. Congressman Dan Kildee. “While the last president proclaimed every week ‘Infrastructure Week’ for four years, President Biden, Governor Whitmer and a Democratic Congress actually delivered and got it done—creating thousands of good-paying jobs and growing Michigan’s economy.”

County:	Barry
Highway:	M-43
Closest city:	Hastings
Start date:	Monday, April 15, 2024
Estimated end date:	Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024
Traffic restrictions:	M-43 will be detoured on M-37, M-79, and M-66.
Safety benefit:	This work also will increase the safety and ride quality for the motoring public.

County:	Bay
Highway:	US-10
Closest city:	Bay City & Midland
Start date:	Monday, April 15, 2024
Estimated end date:	November 2024
Traffic restrictions:	Traffic will be maintained with single-lane closures on eastbound and westbound US-10. Starting May 10, Mackinaw Road bridge traffic will be detoured north to Midland Road and west to Garfield Road, as well as south to Salzburg Road and west to Garfield Road.
Safety benefit:	This project is intended to improve US-10 while addressing important bridge repairs to ensure operations and safety of the road.

County:	Bay, Gratiot, & Isabella
Highway:	US-127 & US-10
Closest city:	Mt. Pleasant, Midland, Auburn, Ithaca, Alma, St. Louis
Start date:	Monday, April 15, 2024
Estimated end date:	April 2025
Traffic restrictions:	Traffic will be maintained using shoulder closures, lane closures and ramp closures.
Safety benefit:	This maintenance work is being done to improve the service lives and safety of these bridges across the region.

County:	Cheboygan
Highway:	I-75
Closest city:	Wolverine
Start date:	Monday, April 15, 2024
Estimated end date:	Friday, Aug. 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 project will preserve the structural integrity of the bridge and will include new railings and pavement markings.

MDOT will begin work on an approximately $141 million investment to rebuild more than three miles of I-475 from the Flint River to Carpenter Road in Flint. Work includes rebuilding the roadway, a new bridge over the Flint River, and improvements to several other structures along the corridor. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 1,706 jobs. 

“Flint infrastructure is getting some love! Construction will soon begin, putting these investments to work, while enhancing mobility and convenience to our city,” said state Rep. Cynthia Neeley (D-Flint). “As Work Zone Awareness Week starts Monday, be safe out there, slow down, pay attention and know that the orange cones and work zones won’t always be there. They are a sign of growth and progression in Michigan infrastructure, and our community gets to be a part of that.”

County:	Genesee
Highway:	I-475
Closest city:	Flint
Start date:	Monday, April 15, 2024
Estimated end date:	December 2025
Traffic restrictions:	Crews will address work on northbound I-475 through this November, and then begin work on southbound I-475 in spring 2025. Beginning April 15, crews will detour northbound I-475 via I-69 and I-75. One lane will be maintained on southbound I-475. Intermittent lane closures are currently in place for construction staging and pavement repairs prior to the main project starting on April 15.
Safety benefit:	This work will enhance mobility and increase safety along the I-475 corridor.

MDOT is investing $7.7 million to replace the Gilkey Creek culvert, replace the water main and sanitary sewer, and reconstruct the intersection at the M-54 (Dort Highway)/Court Street intersection in the city of Flint starting April 16. Both directions of M-54 will be closed at Court Street. Crews will also replace the traffic signals at the intersection. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 93 jobs. 

County:	Genesee
Highway:	M-54
Closest city:	Flint Burton
Start date:	Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Estimated end date:	October 2024
Traffic restrictions:	Traffic will be detoured from northbound M-54 via Lapeer Road to Center Road, then Robert T. Longway Boulevard back to M-54. Southbound traffic will be detoured to Robert T. Longway Boulevard, to Center Road and Lapeer Road and back to M-54. Court Street traffic will be detoured via Lapeer Road and Center Road back to Court Street.
Safety benefit:	This closure is being done to allow crews to safely replace the culvert while improving the intersection at M-54/Court Street.

MDOT is investing approximately $4.1 million to improve 17.6 miles of M-18 in Gladwin County from First Street north to the Gladwin/Roscommon County line. Work includes resurfacing, sidewalk ramps, shoulder gravel, pavement markings, and slope restoration, as well as drainage upgrades at the Meridith Grade Road intersection. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 50 jobs. 

County:	Gladwin
Highway:	M-18
Closest city:	Gladwin
Start date:	Monday, April 15, 2024
Estimated end date:	May 2024
Traffic restrictions:	Traffic will be maintained using traffic regulators.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the driving surface of the road and extend its service life.

M-50/US-127 BR Closure for Bridge Repairs in Jackson

MDOT will close southbound M-50/US-127 BR (Cooper Street) between South Street and Morrell Street for bridge repairs in Jackson beginning Monday. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 40 jobs. 

“Residents often ask me about improving the roads in Jackson County,” said state Senator Sue Shink (D-Northfield Twp.). “I am excited that Cooper Street, one of the major entrances to the City of Jackson, is getting the attention it needs. I will continue to do whatever I can to improve our infrastructure.”

County:	Jackson
Highway:	M-50/US-127
Closest city:	Jackson
Start date:	Monday, April 15, 2024
Estimated end date:	Friday, November 15, 2024
Traffic restrictions:	This project will require closing southbound M-50/US-127 BR (Cooper Street) between South Street and Morrell Street. Traffic will be detoured via High Street, Elm Avenue, and Morrell Street. Motorists should expect delays.
Safety benefit:	Performing regular maintenance on bridges helps improve and extend the service life of these structures. Closing lanes during this type of work is necessary to provide the safest work area possible for crews and motorists.

MDOT will start work on the second year of the two-year, $51 million project to rebuild and repave 13.4 miles of US-131 from the Rocky River in Three Rivers, St. Joseph County, to Shaver Road in Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo County. Work this year will pick up at XY Avenue and continue north to Shaver Road. Work in 2024 includes rebuilding US-131 outside of the village of Schoolcraft and converting the Shaver Road intersection to a Michigan Left for southbound US-131 traffic. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 448 jobs. 

“US-131 is a vital artery in Michigan that drives our economy and connects our communities,” said state Senator Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo). “With these much-needed road and bridge improvements in Kalamazoo County, we are continuing to make our roads safer and smoother and better connecting residents and businesses, all while helping create local jobs."

“Today marks the beginning of an important investment in the greater Kalamazoo area. The over $75 million investment in infrastructure is not just about replacing bridges and fixing roads; it's a testament to the commitment to improve safety, reduce congestion and support economic growth in our community,” said state Representative Christine Morse (D-Texas Township). “I am grateful for the collaboration that has made these projects possible. I look forward to their successful completion.”

County:	Kalamazoo
Highway:	US-131
Closest city:	Kalamazoo
Start date:	Monday, April 15, 2024
Estimated end date:	Friday, November 8, 2024
Traffic restrictions:	Work within the village includes rebuilding the road and sidewalks, curb ramps, and curb and gutter. A left-turn phase will be added to an upgraded traffic signal at Lyons Street, and new pedestrian crossing signals will be installed at Eliza Street. While traffic will be maintained in each direction throughout the project, there will be directional closures and detours throughout the construction season. While southbound US-131 is being rebuilt, southbound traffic will be detoured on U Avenue, 8th Street, and XY Avenue. During northbound US-131 rebuilding, northbound traffic will be detoured on XY Avenue, Portage Road, and U Avenue. US-131 will be closed for two weeks while the railroad crossing south of Schoolcraft is rebuilt. During that closure, those same detours will be used for all US-131 traffic.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the driving surface of the road and extend its service life.

County:	Kalamazoo
Highway:	US-131
Closest city:	Kalamazoo
Start date:	Monday, April 15, 2024
Estimated end date:	June 2026
Traffic restrictions:	Work in 2024 will require only shoulder closures on US-131 while a temporary bridge is built for use in 2025 during bridge rebuilding. Work in early 2026 includes bridge coating and final paving on KL Avenue. KL Avenue will be closed throughout construction, with traffic detoured on Drake Road, West Michigan Avenue, and 11th Street. The Stadium Drive ramp to northbound US-131 also will be closed, with traffic detoured via Stadium Drive, Drake Road, and West Main Street.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the driving surface of the road and extend its service life.

MDOT is investing about $2 million to repair the 1-75 bridge over the Carp River, the M-123 overpass at I-75 and the M-134 bridge over the Pine River in Mackinac County. Work includes epoxy overlay, deck patching, joint replacement, structure patching, railing repairs, beam, substructure, surface sealer, and approach work. This project includes a five-year epoxy bridge deck overlay performance warranty. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 24 jobs. 

County:	Mackinac
Highway:	I-75, M-123, & M-134
Closest city:	St. Ignace
Start date:	Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Estimated end date:	Friday, November 8, 2024
Traffic restrictions:	At the M-134 bridge, one lane of alternating traffic will be open at all times using traffic signals and a temporary barrier wall. Traffic will be restricted to a 10-foot maximum width and a speed reduction of 35 mph will be in place through the work area.
Safety benefit:	This work will extend the service life of the existing bridges to maintain safe roadways for all users.

MDOT is rebuilding the I-75 Business Loop (BL) (Square Lake Road) between M-1 (Woodward Avenue) and I-75 in Bloomfield Township, Oakland County, starting next week, beginning with the westbound lanes. Once the westbound lanes are completed in mid-summer, eastbound I-75 BL (Square Lake Road) will be closed from M-1 (Woodward Avenue) to I-75 through the fall. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 182 jobs. 

County:	Oakland
Highway:	M-1 & I-75
Closest city:	Bloomfield Township
Start date:	Monday, April 15, 2024
Estimated end date:	Mid-summer 2024
Traffic restrictions:	Westbound I-75 BL will be closed only at Opdyke Road until June, then it will be closed the entire route between I-75 and M-1 (Woodward Avenue) through mid-summer. Westbound traffic will be detoured further north on I-75 to westbound M-59, then further west through the Woodward Loop to southbound I-75 BL/US-24 Business Route/M-1 (Woodward Avenue) to westbound US-24 BR/Square Lake Road.
Safety benefit:	This $15 million project includes rebuilding I-75 BL (Square Lake Road) pavement, drainage improvements, new curb and gutter, signal upgrades, and improving the Opdyke Road/Square Lake Road ramps.

MDOT is completing work this year to rebuild and repave more than 3.5 miles of M-40 from South Lagrave Street in Paw Paw to 72nd Avenue in Lawton, Van Buren County. The two-year, $10.1 million investment started last year with crews repaving and rebuilding M-40, making drainage improvements and rebuilding concrete curb and gutter and storm sewer markings between Lagrave Street in Paw Paw and Union Street in Lawton. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 143 jobs. 

County:	Van Buren County
Highway:	M-40
Closest city:	Paw Paw & Lawton
Start date:	Monday, April 15, 2024
Estimated end date:	Friday, August 23, 2024
Traffic restrictions:	M-40 will be closed through Lawton, with traffic detoured on 72nd Avenue, Nursery Street, 66th Avenue, 32nd Street, and White Oak Road.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the driving surface of the road and extend its service life.

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.    