The Michigan Department of Transportation announced on May 5 that it will invest $4 million to resurface nearly 12 miles of M-55, stretching from Udell Hills Road in Manistee County to M-37 in Wexford County. The project is scheduled to start on May 11 and is expected to conclude by July 2.
The resurfacing aims to improve safety and extend the service life of this section of roadway. According to the department, the work will include new guardrail installation, mumble strips, and updated pavement markings. Single-lane closures with traffic regulators will be required during construction.
Economic modeling suggests that this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 34 jobs. The closest community affected by the project is Wellston.
The Michigan Department of Transportation manages nearly 10,000 miles of state highways, more than 4,800 bridges, over 2,700 miles of non-motorized trails, hundreds of miles of railroad track, and various airports according to the official website. The department employs more than 2,800 people across seven regions and operates multiple service centers statewide according to the official website.
MDOT’s mission focuses on serving people and communities while supporting economic activity through transportation initiatives according to the official website. Leadership includes a director as well as chief administrative officer, chief operations officer, and chief strategic impact officer according to the official website.
The department maintains all state highway systems—including M routes like M-55—while also overseeing bridge maintenance, rail services, public transit programs, aviation initiatives, non-motorized trails management, and setting safety standards for Michigan’s transport infrastructure according to the official website.
