Governor Whitmer’s Commitment to Infrastructure: A Week of Road Projects in Five Counties

Image Credit, TungArt7

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s administration is steadfast in its commitment to improving Michigan’s infrastructure. This week, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is launching a series of road projects across five counties, encompassing significant upgrades and repairs. These endeavors not only aim to enhance transportation safety and efficiency but also to support local employment, with an estimated 696 jobs tied to these projects.

Governor Whitmer emphasized the broader economic and social benefits of these infrastructure improvements, stating, “Across Michigan, we are moving dirt and fixing the damn roads to drive economic activity, help Michiganders go to work, drop their kids off at school, and run errands safely. Through the end of this construction season, we will have fixed, repaired, or replaced nearly 23,000 lane miles of state-owned roads and 1,600 bridges since I took office, supporting 89,000 jobs without raising taxes by a dime. Let’s roll up our sleeves and keep getting things done.”

Genesee County: M-57 Resurfacing

In Genesee County, MDOT is investing approximately $2.3 million to resurface 9.8 miles of M-57 from M-54 to M-15. This project involves hot-mix asphalt cold milling, resurfacing, and new pavement markings. The investment is projected to support 28 jobs, both directly and indirectly, and is expected to enhance the safety and smoothness of the roadway.

Iosco County: M-65 Resurfacing

MDOT is allocating $872,000 for the resurfacing of nearly 2 miles of M-65 from Dyer Road to Turtle Road in Iosco County. This project includes new pavement markings and rumble strips, which aim to improve road safety by increasing driver awareness. The economic modeling suggests that this investment will support 11 jobs.

Kalamazoo County: US-131 Railroad Crossing Rebuild

A major project in Kalamazoo County involves the reconstruction of the railroad crossing on US-131, from the Rocky River in Three Rivers, St. Joseph County, to Shaver Road in Schoolcraft. This $51 million project will cover 13.4 miles and is designed to enhance both safety and efficiency for local residents and commuters. The project is anticipated to support 617 jobs based on economic projections.

Lenawee County: M-34 Resurfacing

In Lenawee County, MDOT is investing around $1.8 million to resurface M-34 (Beecher Road) in Adrian between Industrial Drive and Hazen Creek. This initiative aims to provide a safer and smoother route for drivers, supporting 22 jobs according to economic modeling.

St. Clair County: M-19 Resurfacing

MDOT is also focused on St. Clair County, with a $1.5 million investment to resurface M-19 from the city of Memphis to I-69. The project will involve the application of paver-placed surface seal, fog seal, corrugations, new pavement markings, and shoulder gravel. This is projected to support 18 jobs and extend the lifespan of the roadway.

Rebuilding Michigan’s Roads and Bridges

By the end of this construction season, nearly 23,000 lane miles of roads and 1,600 bridges in Michigan will have been repaired, reflecting Governor Whitmer’s dedication to long-term infrastructure improvements. The Rebuilding Michigan plan, a five-year, $3.5 billion investment in highways and bridges, and the bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan, which is the largest one-time infrastructure investment in the state’s history, are pivotal in these achievements.

These strategic investments ensure that future generations will benefit from safer roads and bridges, bolstering the economy and providing a reliable transportation network for daily activities and economic growth.