Great Lakes Wire

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive this month directing the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to fix trunkline highway potholes.

The governor's office said the executive directive allows MDOT to list which road surfaces need pothole repairs in order of importance and will analyze road conditions with funds appropriated by the Michigan Legislature.

"Potholes are dangerous and damage vehicles. The way to prevent this is to continue fixing the roads and bridges the right way the first time," Transportation Department Director Paul C. Ajeba said in the release. Consistent with this Executive Directive, MDOT will use all the resources at our disposal, including overtime and contracted services, to repair them. When we are not clearing roads from the latest storm, our crews will be out fixing potholes as quickly as possible." 

Michigan State Police will engage in work zone enforcement and other needed backups to facilitate that the repairs on the roadway are done in a fashion that keeps workers and motorists safe.

Whitmer's tenure in office has resulted in the renovation of more than 13,000 lane miles of road and over 900 bridges, supporting nearly 82,000 jobs," according to a news release.

"Dealing with car damage from driving over potholes while on your way to work or school is frustrating for every Michigander. No family should have to spend their hard-earned money on repairing a flat tire or a broken axle caused by these potholes," Whitmer said. "That's why I'm directing the state transportation department to speed up pothole repairs. We're kicking this into overdrive, using overtime pay and contractors to get the job done, while we continue broader improvement projects across the state."

Whitmer added that she will keep working on repairing damn roads and investing in the state's infrastructure. 

According to the news release, the Bridge Bundling program, being piloted by MDOT, is expected to begin rebuilding 19 locally-owned bridges this month, along with a $6.3 billion 2023 budget proposal for local roads, bridges, airports, transit and rail programs, which would account for the biggest appreciation for infrastructure in the history of the state.