Great Lakes Wire

 LANSING, Mich. — May 01, 2023 , Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will launch multiple road and bridge repair projects this week including US-12 resurfacing in Branch County, rebuilding the northbound I-69 ramp to eastbound I-94 in Calhoun County, M-15 resurfacing in Genesee County, US-131 rebuilding and repaving and M-96 repaving in Kalamazoo County, building a Flex Route on US-23 in Livingston County, M-50 resurfacing in Lenawee County, M-25 bridge repairs in Sanilac County and M-29 resurfacing in St. Clair County. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 5,302 jobs. 

 “We are fixing the damn roads across the state to drive economic activity and help Michiganders get to where they need to go safely and smoothly,” said Governor Whitmer. “Since I took office through the end of this construction season, we will have fixed nearly 20,000 lane miles of road and more than 1,400 bridges, supporting tens of thousands ofconstruction jobs without raising taxes by a dime. Today’s projects across eight counties will support 5,302 jobs and make a real difference in people’s lives. Let’s roll up our sleeves and move some dirt.”   

 US-12 Resurfacing and Bridge Repairs in Branch County 

MDOT will invest $2.4 million to resurface three-quarters of a mile of US-12 between the Coldwater River and Western/Butters Avenue in Coldwater. Work includes approach and bridge repairs over the Coldwater River, as well as milling and resurfacing, joint repairs, guardrail, and concrete sidewalk improvements. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 29 jobs.

Northbound I-69 Ramp Rebuild in Calhoun County 

The northbound I-69 ramp to eastbound I-94 in Marshall will close Monday as crews rebuild the ramp as part of MDOT’s three-year, $210 million project to rebuild I-69 between Island Highway in Charlotte, Eaton County, and I-94 in Marshall, Calhoun County. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 2,667 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 improve the condition of the state's infrastructure

M-15 Resurfacing in Genesee County 

MDOT will invest $11.3 million to resurface nearly 7 miles of M-15 in Genesee County. Work includes intersection improvements and widening of the roadway to accommodate a center turn lane from Potter Road to Richfield Road. Crews will also replace the culvert at Bird Drain and make grade changes to improve the site distance at M-15 north of Coldwater Road. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 137 jobs.

US 131 Rebuilding in Kalamazoo County 

MDOT is starting work May 1 to rebuild and repave 13.4 miles of US-131 from the Rocky River in Three Rivers, St. Joseph County, to Shaver Road in Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo County. The two-year, $51 million investment will start this year at the Rocky River and go to just north of XY Avenue. Work in 2024 will pick up at XY Avenue and continue north to Shaver Road. 

 “I am pleased to join with MDOT in announcing the initiation of two road projects in the 19th District.” said state Senator Sean McCann (D–Kalamazoo). “With all of the economic expansion in Kalamazoo County, having a top-level transportation network is of paramount importance. The two new projects, a $51 million dollar rebuild of portions of U.S. 131 and $1.1 million repaving of M-96 will allow a better, safer driving experience and help spur economic development. These are just two examples of the road improvements made possible by Governor Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan program.” 

 Work in 2023 includes repaving US-131, joint repairs, improving drainage, and rebuilding all intersections in the project area as indirect left turns, or “Michigan Lefts.” The existing crossovers at intersections will be removed, and new temporary crossovers will be built for the project. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 448 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 improve the condition of the state's infrastructure.

M-96 Repaving in Kalamazoo County 

MDOT will invest $1.1 million to repave four miles of M-96 from Burgess Drive in Galesburg to East G Avenue in Augusta.Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 13 jobs.

US-23 Flex Route in Livingston County 

This work is part of MDOT's ongoing $162 million investment to extend the US-23 Flex Route from north of 8 Mile Road to I-96. The project consists of just under 7.5 miles of hot mix asphalt reconstruction and rehabilitation, shoulder widening, interchange reconfigurations, bridge replacement, and rehabilitation at nine structures. The US-23 Flex Route Phase 2 extension focuses on traffic safety, operations, infrastructure condition, and the directional peak period congestion along the US-23 corridor.    

MDOT built the first Flex Route on US-23 between M-14 and 8 Mile Road in 2016 and 2017. The US-23 Flex Route project involved installing an active traffic management (ATM) lane with other safety improvements, as well as operational improvements and addressing condition needs. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 1,960 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 improve the condition of the state's infrastructure.

M-50 Resurfacing in Lenawee County 

MDOT is investing approximately $1 million for resurfacing and improvements of M-50 from the East River Raisin Bridge to Ridge Highway. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 13 jobs.

M-25 Bridge Repairs in Sanilac County 

MDOT will invest $950,000 in bridge improvements to the M-25 bridge over Forester Creek in Sanilac County. Work includes repairs to the bridge, drainage improvements and culvert replacements, concrete curb and gutter, guardrail, and repairs to the bridge approach. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 12 jobs.

M-29 Resurfacing in St. Clair County 

MDOT will invest $1.9 million to resurface more than five miles of M-29 from Yankee Road to River Road, and from the north city limits of Marine City to Remer Road in St. Clair County. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 23 jobs.

Rebuilding Michigan’s Roads and Bridges 

By the end of this construction season, Michigan will have fixed nearly 20,000 lane miles of road and 1,400 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.

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