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

Government and Politics

May 28, 2024

From: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer

LANSING, MI - On May 28, 2024, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin eight road and bridge repair projects this week including bridge improvements in Barry County, resurfacing projects in Berrien and Van Buren counties, highway rebuilding in Berrien County, resurfacing in Chippewa County, resurfacing projects in Crawford County, resurfacing in Dickinson County, bridge resurfacing in Jackson County, and bridge work in Macomb County. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 2,709 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 Bridge Improvements in Barry County

MDOT is investing approximately $800,000 to improve the M-66 bridge over Quaker Brook just south of Nashville in Barry County. Improvements include deck replacement, substructure repair, and approach rebuilding. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 10 jobs.

County:

Barry

Highway:

M-66

Closest city:

Nashville

Start date:

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Estimated end date:

Mid-August, 2024

Traffic restrictions:

M-66 will be closed between Bivens Road and M-79 with traffic detoured onto Lawrence Road, Assyria Road, and M-79.

Safety benefit:

This project will increase safety, improve the ride quality, and extend the service life of the bridge.

Resurfacing work in Berrien and Van Buren Counties

MDOT is investing $3.8 million to resurface more than 39 miles of M-40, M-43, US-12, and I-196 in Berrien and Van Buren counties. Work includes crack filling, surface sealing and pavement markings. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 46 jobs.

“The investments in the infrastructure along the Lakeshore will improve the conditions of our roads, and this project will also support about 46 jobs in the area during construction,” said state Representative Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph). “This is money well spent — Michigan’s priorities of replacing bridges and fixing the roads are all healthy signs of how we’re bringing hometowns back to prosperity.”

County:

Berrien & Van Buren

Highway:

M-40, M-43, US-12, and I-196

Closest city:

Multiple southwestern areas

Start date:

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Estimated end date:

Friday, August 30, 2024

Traffic restrictions:

Single-lane closures under flag control.

Safety benefit:

This work will repair and preserve highway pavement, extending its service life and improving safety for motorists.

M-51 Rebuilding in Berrien County

MDOT is set to move to the next phase of the $27 million investment to rebuild the US-12/M-51 interchange in Niles, Berrien County. Work being completed on M-51 under this new traffic pattern will include pavement removal, excavation, base replacement, drainage improvements, concrete patching, and paving operations. This work will be completed concurrently with the work along US-12. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 383 jobs.

County:

Berrien

Highway:

M-51

Closest city:

Niles

Start date:

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Estimated end date:

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Traffic restrictions:

M-51 will be reduced to one northbound lane north of US-12 with southbound M-51 traffic detoured on Oak Street, M-60, and US-12. The detour is expected to be in place for four weeks. M-51 will have one lane open in direction south of US-12.

Safety benefit:

This project will increase safety for motorists and extend the lifespan of the roadway.

I-75 Resurfacing Project in Chippewa County

MDOT is investing about $3.5 million to resurface nearly five miles of I-75 from M-28 north to 3 Mile Road in Chippewa County. The work includes single-course asphalt overlay, joint repairs, guardrail repairs, aggregate shoulders, and pavement markings. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 42 jobs.

County:

Chippewa

Highway:

I-75

Closest city:

Sault Ste. Marie

Start date:

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Estimated end date:

Friday, September 27, 2024

Traffic restrictions:

Work will be performed during daytime hours only. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction on I-75 via single-lane closures. A 12-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.

I-75 Resurfacing Project in Crawford County

MDOT will invest $2 million to resurface nearly six miles of I-75 from I-75 Business Loop (BL) (Federal Avenue) in Roscommon to US-127. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 24 jobs.

County:

Crawford

Highway:

I-75

Closest city:

Roscommon

Start date:

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Estimated end date:

Friday, August 23, 2024

Traffic restrictions:

This work will require lane closures and traffic shifts. One lane will remain open in each direction.

Safety benefit:

This project includes new pavement markings and rumble strips.

M-95 and M-69 Resurfacing in Dickinson County

MDOT is investing about $3.9 million to resurface about 22 miles of M-95 from US-2 north to M-69 and M-69 from M-95 to west of Felch Road in Dickinson County. Work includes hot-mix asphalt surfacing, crack filling, surface sealing, and pavement markings. This project includes a three-year pavement performance warranty. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 47 jobs.

County:

Dickinson

Highway:

M-69 & M-95

Closest city:

Felch, Randville, and Iron Mountain

Start date:

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Estimated end date:

Friday, August 30, 2024

Traffic restrictions:

Work will be performed during daytime hours only. Traffic will be maintained utilizing single-lane closures with 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.

I-94 Bridge Rebuilding in Jackson County

MDOT will close the Dearing Road bridge over I-94, along with all four ramps, for rebuilding starting Tuesday. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 1,960 jobs.

“Jackson County residents rely on I-94 — a significant local and national trade corridor — for quick travel to home, school, work and more. This vital stretch of I-94 is finally receiving the long-needed attention and resources for repairs," said state Senator Sue Shink (D-Northfield Township). “That’s why today is an exciting day for our community, as we see the state, with federal funding, investing in our roads. This segment of the larger I-94 project will support nearly 2,000 jobs and stimulate economic activity in our region, while also ensuring that workers and residents can travel safely and with ease.”

County:

Jackson

Highway:

I-94

Closest city:

Jackson

Start date:

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Estimated end date:

Friday, August 23, 2024

Traffic restrictions:

This work will require closing the Dearing Road bridge over I-94, including all four ramps. Motorists should expect delays.

Safety benefit:

These improvements will provide increased safety and mobility in this area of I-94, which is a significant local and national trade corridor.

This work is part of the multi-year $162 million I-94 road and bridge rebuilding project in Jackson County, 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 improves the condition of the state's infrastructure.

M-53 Bridge Work in Macomb County

MDOT is investing $16 million to repair M-53 between 18 Mile Road and M-59. Work includes resurfacing the roadway, concrete and guardrail repairs, over 10 bridge repairs, and ramp resurfacing. MDOT will close the Clinton River bridge over M-53 for a full deck replacement, partial painting, and substructure repairs. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 197 jobs.

“We’ve worked tirelessly to make a real difference in the lives of Michiganders, and it’s great to see these efforts paying off,” said state Representative Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights). “These grants will fix roads, create jobs and make commuting to work and school a little easier. Putting these funds into places like my hometown of Sterling Heights is going to make stronger, more resilient communities.”

County:

Macomb

Highway:

M-53

Closest city:

Sterling Heights

Start date:

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Estimated end date:

August 2024

Traffic restrictions:

The following detours will be in place during the closure:

- Eastbound Clinton River Road: Eastbound 19 Mile Road, then southbound Schoenherr Road back to Clinton River Road.

- Westbound Clinton River Road: Northbound Schoenherr Road, then westbound 19 Mile Road back to Clinton River Road.

Safety benefit:

This project will increase safety for motorists and extend the lifespan of the roadway.

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.