RELEASE: Governor Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects Starting This Week in 5 Counties

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

July 15, 2024

Governor Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects Starting This Week in 5 Counties 

LANSING, Mich. —  Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin road projects this week across five counties. These projects include railroad repairs on US-131 in Kalamazoo County and resurfacings on M-57 in Genesee County, M-65 in Iosco County, M-34 in Lenawee County, and M-19 in St. Clair County, estimated to support 696 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-57 Resurfacing in Genesee County

MDOT is investing approximately $2.3 million to resurface 9.8 miles of M-57 from M-54 to M-15 in Genesee County. Work includes hot-mix asphalt cold milling, resurfacing and pavement markings to improve the safety and smoothness of the roadway. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 28 jobs.

County:	Genesee
Highway:	I-75
Closest city:	Clio and Otisville
Start date:	Monday, July 15, 2024
Estimated end date:	Late-September 2024
Traffic restrictions:	Daytime single-lane closures will be implemented via flagging operations.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the safety and operations of the roadway and provide a smoother driving surface, extending the life of the road.

M-65 Resurfacing Iosco County

MDOT is investing $872,000 to resurface nearly 2 miles of M-65 from Dyer Road to Turtle Road in Iosco County. This project will include new pavement markings and rumble strips, which will bolster the overall safety of the roads by enhancing driver awareness. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 11 jobs.

County:	Iosco
Highway:	M-65
Closest city:	Whittemore
Start date:	Monday, July 15, 2024
Estimated end date:	Friday, Sept. 13, 2024
Traffic restrictions:	This work will require single-lane closures with one lane of alternating traffic maintained by traffic regulators.
Safety benefit:	This project includes new rumble strips and pavement markings. These benefits will improve overall road safety by reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing driver awareness.

US-131 will be Closed to Rebuild Railroad Crossing in Kalamazoo County

MDOT is investing approximately $51 million 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. The project will rebuild a railroad crossing, enhancing the safety and efficiency for residents and commuters. Based on economic modeling, this total $51 million investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 617 jobs.

County:	Kalamazoo
Highway:	US-131
Closest city:	Schoolcraft
Start date:	Monday, July 15, 2024
Estimated end date:	Monday, July 29, 2024
Traffic restrictions:	MDOT will close US-131 with southbound traffic detoured via U Avenue, 8th Street and XY Avenue, while northbound traffic will be detoured via XY Avenue, Portage Road and U Avenue. After the railroad crossing is rebuilt, southbound US-131 will reopen while the northbound detour remains in place as the project moves into the next scheduled phase of work.
Safety benefit:	This project is aimed at fixes that result in longer useful lives and improves the condition of the infrastructure.

MDOT

M-34 Resurfacing in Lenawee County

MDOT is investing approximately $1.8 million to resurface M-34 (Beecher Road) in Adrian between Industrial Drive and Hazen Creek. This project will provide a better and safer route for drivers. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 22 jobs.

County:	Lenawee
Highway:	M-34
Closest city:	Adrian
Start date:	Monday, July 15, 2024
Estimated end date:	Friday, Aug. 23, 2024
Traffic restrictions:	Crews will be repaving one direction at a time, with alternating traffic sharing the open lane during work. Motorists should expect delays.
Safety benefit:	This project will provide a better and safer route for all drivers. Closing lanes during this type of work is necessary to provide the safest work area possible for crews and motorists.

M-19 Resurfacing in St. Clair County

MDOT is investing $1.5 million to resurface M-19 from the city of Memphis to I-69 in St. Clair County. Work will include paver placed surface seal, fog seal, corrugations, pavement markings, and shoulder gravel to extend the lifespan of the roadway and provide a smoother driving surface. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 18 jobs.

County:	St. Clair
Highway:	M-10
Closest city:	Memphis and Emmet
Start date:	Monday, July 15, 2024
Estimated end date:	Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024
Traffic restrictions:	Single-lane closures will be implemented daily. Two-way traffic will be maintained with traffic regulators.
Safety benefit:	This work will extend the lifespan of the roadway and provide a smoother driving surface.

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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