June 17, 2024 

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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 road and bridge repair projects this week across four counties, including resurfacing M-89/M-43 in Allegan County, rebuilding the I-69 bridge in Eaton County, rebuilding the US-127 bridge in Ingham County, and resurfacing M-134 in Mackinac County. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 2,542 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-89/M-43 Resurfacing Project in Allegan County  

MDOT is investing approximately $1.2 million to resurface four miles of M-89/M-43 (Allegan Street) from 8th Street to the Allegan/Barry county line (Doster Road). This project will increase safety, improve the ride quality, and extend the service life of the roadway. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 15 jobs. 

I-69 Bridge Rebuilding in Eaton County 

MDOT is rebuilding the I-69 Business Loop (BL) (Cochran Avenue) bridge over the Battle Creek River in Charlotte, providing drivers with a new structure. The roadway will be closed until late October. Based on economic modeling, this $2.8 million investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 34 jobs. 

 "The rebuilding of the Cochran Avenue bridge over the Battle Creek River in Charlotte is just one of many examples of how we’re investing in Michigan roads and infrastructure — and maximizing federal funding to do so," said state Senator Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing). "Whether you’re heading to work, driving your kid to school, or running errands, roads like this connect our communities. Thank you to our hardworking construction workers for helping us build up Michigan."   

 “The I-69 Business Loop bridge is essential to the commutes of many residents in our hometowns, which is why this $2.8 million investment is vital,” said state Representative Angela Witwer (D-Delta Township). “This revitalization of our infrastructure will not only improve road safety, but will also support economic development by creating jobs. I look forward to seeing the successful completion of this project.” 

US-127 Bridge Rebuilding in Ingham County 

MDOT is closing Forest Road under US-127 to begin rebuilding the overpass to increase the service life of this bridge. This work is part of the $205 million investment to rebuild US-127/I-496 from I-96 to I-496 that will address safety concerns, improve roadway geometrics, and improve vehicular movement. In addition, this work is expected to improve and rebuild bridges through this segment and update drainage, signs, and pavement markings in Ingham County. Based on economic modeling, this overall project investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 2,481 jobs.   

“Investing in our state’s infrastructure is not just key for economic growth; it’s also necessary for the safety of Michiganders,” said state Senator Sam Singh (D-East Lansing). “US-127 is a bustling thoroughfare in our community. Rebuilding the overpass at Forest Road is crucial to improving the flow of traffic and keeping Michiganders safe on the road while supporting new jobs in the process.”  

“Rebuilding the overpass above Forest Road on US-127 will make our roads safer,” said state Representative Kara Hope (D-Holt). “This project will help modernize Ingham County’s infrastructure to improve safety for drivers and to reduce commute times.” 

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. 

M-134 Resurfacing in Mackinac County  

MDOT is investing about $1 million to resurface nearly seven miles of M-134 from Nunns Creek Road to 3 Mile Road in Mackinac County, increasing safety for motorists and extending the lifespan of the roadway. The work includes double-chip seal, fog seal, over-band crack fill, asphalt mastic repair, aggregate shoulders, guardrail repair, and pavement markings. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 12 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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