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

Government and Politics

May 13, 2024

From: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer

LANSING, MI – On May 13, 2024, 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-23flex 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.

County: Berrien

Highway: I-94

Closest city: Stevensville

Start date: Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Estimated end date: Friday, May 17, 2024

Traffic restrictions: From Wednesday, May 15, through Friday, May 17, there will be one lane of northbound Red Arrow Highway open to traffic and southbound Red Arrow Highway will be detoured on westbound I-94 to John Beers Road Exit 22, then back to Red Arrow Highway.

On Saturday, May 18, both northbound and southbound Red Arrow Highway will reopen to traffic; however, the Red Arrow Highway ramp to westbound I-94 will be closed for rebuilding.

Safety benefit: This project will improve the ride and extend the service life ofI-94.

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.

County: Calhoun

Highway: I-94 and I-69

Closest city: Marshall

Start date: Sunday, May 12, 2024

Estimated end date: Friday, May 24, 2024

Traffic restrictions: There will be nightly lane and ramp closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. within the I-94/I-69 interchange for the duration of this work. Detours will be posted. Check Mi Drive for project and closure details.

Safety benefit: These improvements will provide increased safety and mobility in this area of I-94 and I-69.

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.

County: Clinton

Highway: Peacock Road, I-69

Closest city: Bath Township, East Lansing, Lansing

Start date: Monday, May 13, 2024

Estimated end date: Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Traffic restrictions: This work will require closing Peacock Road and single-lane closures on I-69. Motorists should expect delays and areadvised to seek alternate routes.

Safety benefit: This project will ultimately provide rivers with fully rebuilt structures. Closing lanes and impacted roadways during this type of work is necessary to provide the safest work area possible for crews and motorists.

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.

County: Gogebic

Highway: US-2

Closest city: Marenisco

Start date: May 13, 2024

Estimated end date: Early October 2024

Traffic restrictions: Work will be performed during daytime hours only. One lane of alternating traffic will bemaintainedon US-2 using traffic regulators. An 11-foot lane width restriction will be in place during the project.
 
Safety benefit: This project will increase safety for motorists and extend the lifespan of the roadway.

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.

County: Lapeer

Highway: M-53

Closest city: Imlay City

Start date: Monday, May 13, 2024

Estimated end date: August 2024

Traffic restrictions: Single-lane closures will be implemented during milling and resurfacing work.

Starting June 3, M-53 will be closed during the replacement of the bridge over Elk Lake Creek near Armstrong Road. During the closure, northbound M-53 traffic will be detoured via Bowers Road, Lake Pleasant Road, and Clear Lake Road, while southbound M-53 traffic will be detoured via Clear Lake Road, Lake Pleasant Road, and Bowers Road.

Truck traffic on northbound M-53 will be detoured via I-69, M-24, and M-90, while southbound M-53 will be detoured via M-90, M-24, and I-69.

Safety benefit: This project is intended to improve M-53 while addressing important bridge repairs to ensure operations and safety of the road.

Rebuilding M-50in 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.

County: Lenawee

Highway: M-50

Closest city: Onstead, Tecumseh, and Brooklyn

Start date: Monday, May 13, 2024

Estimated end date: Friday, June28, 2024

Traffic restrictions: This work will require intermittent single-lane closures. Motorists should expect delays.

Safety benefit: This work will result in a smoother, safer road surface for motorists. Closing lanes during this type of work is necessary to provide the safest work area possible for crews and motorists.

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.

County: Livingston

Highway: US-23

Closest city: Brighton

Start date: Thursday, May 16, 2024

Estimated end date: Friday, May24, 2024

Traffic restrictions: Northbound US-23 will be closed intermittently at Grand River Avenue from 11 p.m. Thursday, May 16, to 5 a.m. Friday, May 17.

Southbound US-23 will be closed intermittently from Spencer Road to I-96 from 11 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, to 5 a.m. Friday, May 24.

The northbound US-23 ramp to eastbound I-96 will be closed from 9 p.m. Thursday, May 16, to 5 a.m. Friday, May 17. Traffic will be detoured via westbound I-96 and Spencer Road to eastbound I-96.

The southbound US-23 ramp to westbound I-96 will be closed from 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, to 5 a.m. Thursday, May 23. Traffic will be detoured via eastbound I-96 and Kensington Road to westbound I-96.

The eastbound I-96 ramp to southbound US-23 will be closed from 9 p.m. Thursday, May 23, to 5 a.m. Friday, May 24. Traffic will be detoured via Kensington Road and westbound I-96 to southbound US-23.

Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes

Safety benefit: These improvements will provide increased safety and mobility in this area of US-23, which is a significant state, national, and international trade corridor.

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.”

County: Marquette

Highway: M-35

Closest city: Gwinn

Start date: May 13, 2024

Estimated end date: Early July 2024

Traffic restrictions: One lane of alternating traffic will be maintained on M-35 using traffic regulators.

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-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.

County: Montcalm

Highway: M-91

Closest city: Lakeview

Start date: May 13, 2024

Estimated end date: Early September 2024

Traffic restrictions: M-91 will be closed from just north of Kendaville Road to M-46. Detour heading north: West on Kendaville Road, south on Satterlee Road, west on Coral Road, and north on Gravel Ridge Road to M-46. Southbound M-91 traffic will be maintained via the same detour.

Safety benefit: This project will improve the ride and extend the service life of M-91.

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.