June 3, 2024 

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Gov. 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 three road and bridge repair projects this week across four counties, including highway resurfacing in Charlevoix County, resurfacing projects in Grand Traverse and Antrim Counties, and maintenance in Jackson County. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 53 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.”  

M-66 Resurfacing Projects in Charlevoix County 

MDOT will invest $1.3 million to resurface nearly 12 miles of M-66 from south of Stover Road in Charlevoix to Jordan Ridge in East Jordan. The project includes crack filling, chip sealing, shoulder repairs and new roadside delineators. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 16 jobs.  

US-31 Resurfacing Projects in Grand Traverse & Antrim Counties 

MDOT will invest nearly $1.8 million to resurface 11.7 miles of US-31 from south of Dock/Brackett Road in Acme to north of Campbell Road north of Elk Rapids. The project includes chip sealing and asphalt paving. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 22 jobs. 

M-50 Maintenance in Jackson County 

MDOT will close one lane of M-50 in each direction between Hopcraft Road and US-127 in Jackson beginning Monday for maintenance. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 15 jobs.  

“While it might seem challenging to get excited about more road construction, it's much easier when you realize that our roads are finally receiving the attention they've long needed and deserved," said State Senator Sue Shink (D-Northfield Township). "This stretch of M-50 serves as a vital link, connecting many of our rural communities to Downtown Jackson and other parts of the state. I'm thrilled to see the state invest federal dollars into improving our rural infrastructure — which is too often neglected — and the benefits it will provide to residents of Jackson County and surrounding communities who can now enjoy a safer and more comfortable drive on M-50."   

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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