LANSING, MI - On June 24, 2024, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin a road repair project this week in Ionia County to rebuild eight miles of I-96. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 1,271 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.” 

Rebuilding I-96 in Ionia County

MDOT is investing approximately $105 million to rebuild eight miles of I-96 between Bliss Road and Sunfield Road in Portland to increase safety and improve ride quality. Work includes rebuilding the roadway, drainage improvements, new culverts, new guardrail, concrete curb and gutter, and improvements on the Jordan Lake Road bridge over I-96. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 1,271 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.