FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

May 13, 2024  

Contact: [email protected]    

Gov. Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects Starting This Week in Nine Counties    

LANSING, Mich. —  Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin nine road and bridge repair projects this week including bridge repairs on I-94 in Berrien County, I-94/I-69 repaving in Calhoun County, bridge maintenance on I-69 in Clinton County, resurfacing US-2 in Gogebic County, M-53 resurfacing and bridge work in Lapeer County, rebuilding M-50 in Lenawee County, US-23 flex route updates in Livingston County, M-35 resurfacing projects in Marquette County, and rebuilding M-91 in Montcalm County. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 7,214 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 state-owned roads and 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.”  

“From Southwest Michigan to the Western Upper Peninsula, much-needed infrastructure projects are kicking off across the state today thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law I helped pass,” said U.S. Senator Gary Peters. “These federal investments will help make our roads safer and more efficient while supporting jobs for more than 7,000 Michiganders.” 

I-94 Highway Closure in Berrien County 

MDOT will be closing Red Arrow Highway at I-94 Exit 23 in Stevensville, Berrien County, on Tuesday, May 14, to set bridge beams. This work is part of MDOT’s three-year, $204 million project to rebuild 8.5 miles of I-94 and four bridges, as well as repair nine other bridges, between Puetz Road and Britain Avenue in Berrien County. All work is weather dependent. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 2,468 jobs. 

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.  

I-94/I-69 Repaving in Calhoun County   

Starting Sunday, May 12, MDOT will complete repaving of the I-94/I-69 interchange in Marshall, Calhoun County. Work includes nighttime repaving of I-94 lanes and interchange ramps at I-69. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 2,541 jobs.  

Funding for the three-year, $210 million investment to rebuild I-69 between Island Highway in Charlotte, Eaton County, and I-94 in Marshall, Calhoun County, was made possible by Gov. Gretchen 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 improves the condition of the state's infrastructure. 

I-69 Bridge Maintenance in Clinton County 

MDOT is resuming bridge maintenance on I-69 over Peacock Road in Clinton County. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 18 jobs. 

US-2 Resurfacing Project in Gogebic County 

MDOT is investing about $10.3 million to resurface nearly 18 miles of US-2 from Great Lakes Road to Gogebic Station in Gogebic County. The work includes asphalt crushing and shaping, asphalt milling and resurfacing, drainage improvements, realignment of the M-64 south junction intersection, and pavement markings. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 125 jobs.  

M-53 Resurfacing and Bridge Work in Lapeer County 

MDOT is investing $9.8 million to resurface 8.2 miles of M-53 from south of Bowers Road to Deanville Road in Lapeer County. This project will include milling and resurfacing, joint repairs, drainage, guardrail, pavement markings, and replacing the M-53 bridge over Elk Lake Creek. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 119 jobs.  

Rebuilding M-50 in Lenawee County 

MDOT will have intermittent single-lane closures on eastbound and westbound M-50 from Hand Highway to Nortley Highway in Lenawee County for rebuilding. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 25 jobs.  

US-23 Flex Route Updates in Livingston County 

As part of truss/sign installation beginning Thursday for the US-23 Flex Route project in the Brighton area, the following closures will occur on Thursday, May 16: 

• Northbound US-23 will be closed intermittently at Grand River Avenue. 

• Southbound US-23 will be closed intermittently from Spencer Road to I-96. 

• The northbound US-23 ramp to eastbound I-96 will be closed. 

• The southbound US-23 ramp to westbound I-96 will be closed. 

• The eastbound I-96 ramp to southbound US-23 will be closed. 

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. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 1,839 jobs. 

Funding for this project is made possible by Gov. Gretchen 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. 

M-35 Resurfacing Project in Marquette County 

MDOT is investing about $517,000 to mill and resurface about 1 mile of M-35 between the west branch of the Escanaba River and Willow Street in Gwinn, Marquette County. Work will include asphalt milling and paving, sidewalk ramps, curb and gutter, and pavement markings. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 6 jobs.  

“I’m glad to see the continued progress on the M-35 Resurfacing Project in Marquette Count,” said state Representative Jenn Hill (D-Marquette). “This is a practical investment that improves our local roads, makes travel safer and creates good-paying local jobs. Infrastructure improvements like these have tangible impacts on people's lives. I’ll keep advocating for more projects like these in the U.P., as we continue to reinforce and strengthen our hometowns.” 

M-91 Rebuild in Montcalm County 

MDOT is investing approximately $6 million to rebuild 4.5 miles of M-91 from Kendaville Road north to M-46 (Howard City Edmore Road). Work includes asphalt resurfacing, drainage improvements and culvert replacement. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 73 jobs.  

Rebuilding Michigan’s Roads and Bridges      

By the end of this construction season, Michigan will have fixed nearly 23,000 lane miles of road and 1,600 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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