Governor Whitmer Continues to Fix the Roads and Bridges

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 12, 2022

Contact: Press@michigan.gov

 

Governor Whitmer Continues to Fix the Roads and Bridges, Announces Projects Starting in Bay, Gratiot, Kent, Lapeer and Mason Counties on April 18

In 2022, Gov. Whitmer is making the largest investment in state roads and bridges in Michigan’s history

LANSING, Mich. -- Governor Whitmer announced that multiple road rebuilding projects are expected to begin on Monday, April 18. The projects include US-127 resurfacing in Gratiot County, the I-69 Rebuilding Michigan project in Lapeer County, year two of the I-75 resurfacing project in Bay County, US-31 resurfacing project in Mason County, I-96 road and bridge improvement project in Kent County, and the I-96 interchange connection project in Kent County. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 1,287 jobs.

“Across Michigan, we are fixing the damn roads to save motorists time and money. Investments like these in Bay, Gratiot, Kent, Lapeer, and Mason counties will ensure our bridges and roads are safe for years to come,” said Governor Whitmer. “My Rebuilding Michigan Plan and the recently enacted Building Michigan Together Plan are helping us fix our roads and bridges with the right mix and materials, making them much less susceptible to our notorious pothole seasons, all without raising taxes by a cent. Since I took office, Michigan has repaired, rebuilt, or replaced over 13,000 lane miles of road and over 900 bridges, supporting nearly 82,000 jobs. These projects will add to that total and continue and support even more good-paying jobs in these communities.”

US-127 Resurfacing in Gratiot County

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will invest $1.2 million to resurface 1.7 miles of US-127 from north of Humphrey Road to Washington Road in Gratiot County. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support nearly 20 jobs.

County:	Gratiot
Highway:	US-127
Closest city:	Ithaca
Start date:	Monday, April 18, 2022
Estimated end date:	Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Traffic restrictions:	Traffic will be maintained with single-lane closures and traffic shifts.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the driving surface and extend the life of the road.

I-69 Rebuilding Michigan in Lapeer County MDOT will invest $54.5 million to rebuild more than seven miles of I-69 from M-24 to Lake George Road. This work will also replace the Five Lakes Rest Area. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 685 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 improves the condition of the state's infrastructure.

County:	Lapeer
Highway:	M-24
Closest city:	Lapeer
Start date:	Monday, April 18, 2022
Estimated end date:	October 2023
Traffic restrictions:	Drivers should expect lane closures and traffic shifts as crews begin to rebuild the roadway. This two-year project will start off with crews expected to rebuild westbound I-69 first. During this time, all traffic will be maintained on eastbound I-69. The following ramps will be closed during this phase of work:   Southbound M-24 to eastbound I-69, Westbound I-69 to M-24, Westbound I-69 to Wilder Road, Wilder Road to westbound I-69, and Lake Pleasant Road to westbound I-69.   Westbound traffic will be switched back to the westbound side of the freeway at the end of the construction season. In spring 2023, work will begin to rebuild eastbound I-69, with additional traffic restrictions in place.
Safety benefit:	This work will rebuild an aging roadway, supporting commuter and commercial traffic.

I-75 Resurfacing Project in Bay County

MDOT will resume work on I-75 from Beaver Road to Cottage Grove Road in Bay County. Work items remaining include median cleanup and temporary crossovers and bridge work at the Kawkawlin River. Later in the construction season, crews will complete the remaining work for the Parish Road bridge. This work is part of a $29 million investment started in spring 2021 to resurface nearly five miles of I-75 and complete critical bridge repairs at Parish Road and I-75 over Beaver Road. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 368 jobs.

County:	Bay
Highway:	I-75
Closest cities:	Linwood Kawkawlin
Start date:	Monday, April 18, 2022
Estimated end date:	August 2022
Traffic restrictions:	Drivers should expect intermittent single-lane closures on I-75 to accommodate median work.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve the driving surface of I-75 and complete critical bridge repairs to extend the life of the road and structures.

US-31 Resurfacing Project in Mason County

MDOT is investing $2.4 million to resurface nearly three miles of US-31 between Hoague Road in Mason County and Fox Farm Road in Manistee County. This project will improve safety and ride quality for motorists and extend the life of the roadway. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 30 jobs.

Counties:	Mason and Manistee
Highway:	US-31
Closest city:	Manistee
Start date:	Monday, April 18, 2022
Estimated end date:	Friday, July 1, 2022
Traffic restrictions:	US-31 will be closed and traffic detoured on Hoague, Quarterline, County Line, Maple, and Fox Farm roads.
Safety benefit:	This work will provide a safer and smoother driving surface.

I-96 Road and Bridge Improvement Project in Kent County 

MDOT is investing approximately $6 million to resurface 4.5 miles of I-96 from east of Bristol Avenue to West River Drive in the city of Walker. Work also includes bridge improvements on the eastbound I-96 ramp to southbound US-131 over West River Drive and the Marquette Railroad. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 76 jobs.

County:	Kent
Highway:	I-96
Closest cities:	Walker Grand Rapids
Start date:	Monday, April 18, 2022
Estimated end date:	Mid-September 2022
Traffic restrictions:	Lane closures, traffic shifts and ramp closures will be in effect throughout the project. The eastbound I-96 ramp to southbound US-131 is scheduled to be closed Monday, April 18, through Monday, Aug. 1. Traffic will be detoured to northbound US-131, then West River Drive to southbound US-131. Alternate detour: East on I-96 to Plainfield Avenue, then westbound I-96 to southbound US-131.
Safety benefit:	This project will improve the ride and is a long-term investment for the service life of the corridor and associated bridges.

I-96 Interchange Connection Project in Kent County 

MDOT is investing approximately $8.5 million to build an interchange connection lane on westbound I-196 from I-196 Business Spur (Chicago Drive Exit #72) to M-11 (28th Street/Wilson Avenue). Work also includes resurfacing I-196 from M-11 to Market Avenue and bridge improvements at the Chicago Drive interchange and over Kent Trails. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 108 jobs.

County:	Kent
Highway:	I-196
Closest cities:	Grandville Grand Rapids
Start date:	Monday, April 18, 2022
Estimated end date:	Mid October 2022
Traffic restrictions:	Lane closures and traffic shifts will be in effect throughout the project. Ramp closures will be in effect at the I-196/Chicago Drive interchange. The Kent Trails pedestrian pathway will be closed and detoured north of I-196 at Indian Mounds Drive, and south of I-196 near Chicago Drive.
Safety benefit:	The new connection lane between interchanges will increase safety and help with congestion. The road and bridge work will improve the ride quality and extend the service life of the roadway and bridges.

Rebuilding Michigan Plan

Since Governor Whitmer took office, Michigan has repaired, rebuilt, or replaced 13,198 lane miles of road and 903 bridges, supporting nearly 82,000 jobs. Recently, Governor Whitmer signed the Building Michigan Together Plan, a bipartisan plan to invest nearly $5 billion in Michigan’s infrastructure, grow the economy, create jobs, and benefit families in every region of the state. The Building Michigan Together Plan calls for critical investments of $645 million in Michigan’s infrastructure, including $317 million for road and bridge programs, benefitting both state and local projects.

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