Great Lakes Wire

Michigan state Sen. Kim LaSata (R-Coloma) is among those elated to see the completion of U.S. Road 31 finally come to fruition.

“Drivers across the region will surely be thankful to see this decades-long project finally reach completion,” LaSata said in a news release. “The connection between U.S. 31 and Interstate Highway 94 has been in the works far beyond my time in the legislature, and it’s great to see all of the efforts from previous lawmakers, administrations and state and local officials finally coming to fruition."

With Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) receiving much of the credit for pushing to finally complete the U.S. 31 project over the finish line. The governor points to the project as the latest phase in her $3.5 billion Rebuilding Michigan Plan.

Funding for the project was also secured by Upton in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

“Connecting US-31 to I-94 will save drivers time, keep them safer on the road, and lower their costs,” Whitmer said in a news release. “After decades of delay, we are getting this critical southwest Michigan project done without raising taxes because of Congressman Upton’s efforts to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and my $3.5 billion Rebuilding Michigan Plan, which focuses on fixing economically critical state roads and bridges. 

"Since I took office through the end of this year, Michigan will have fixed 16,000 lane miles of road and 1,200 bridges, supporting 89,000 jobs," she added. "I will work with anyone to keep fixing the roads because it makes a real difference in people’s lives by saving them time, keeping them safe and lowering their costs.”

Since coming into office, Whitmer said her administration has worked to fix 16,000 lane miles of road and 1,200 bridges, supporting about 89,000 jobs.

Michigan Department of Transportation Director Paul Ajegba is also excited to see the day finally arrive.  

“I want to thank the community members who have been more than patient as MDOT officials battled so many obstacles to fund and complete this vital corridor,” he said. “I also want to acknowledge the generations of MDOT staff members who worked steadfastly to make today a reality. I appreciate their diligence and I also want to recognize Gov. Whitmer for her vision with the Rebuilding Michigan plan, which helped get this project over the finish line.”