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Governor Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects Starting Next Week in Kent, Keweenaw and Wayne Counties

Government and Politics

April 19, 2023

From: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is slated to begin multiple projects next week, including resurfacing and bridge work on I-96 in Kent County, Silver Ridge bridge replacement in Keweenaw County, and the next phase of work on the Revive 275 project in Wayne County. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 3,537 jobs.

“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,” said Governor Whitmer. “Since I took office through the end of this construction season, we will have fixed, repaired, or replaced nearly 20,000 lane miles of road and 1,400 bridges, supporting 89,000 jobs without raising taxes by a dime. The projects we are kicking off this week in Kent, Keweenaw and Wayne Counties will support over 3,500 jobs and make a difference for families and small businesses in Michigan communities. I’m proud of what we have accomplished through my Rebuilding Michigan program and bipartisan Building Michigan Together plan, and I look forward to building on this progress. Let’s roll up our sleeves and keep getting things done.”

Resurfacing I-96 and Bridge Work in Kent County

Beginning on Monday, April 24,  MDOT will resurface approximately three miles of I-96 from Cascade Road to M-11 (28th Street).  The project also includes bridge improvements on Burton Street over I-96 and resurfacing the ramps at the I-96/M-11 interchange. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 73 jobs.

County:Kent County
Highway:I-96
Closest city:Grand Rapids
Start date:Monday, April 24
Estimated end date:Mid November

Traffic restrictions: Drivers should expect lane closures and traffic shifts. Burton Street is scheduled to be closed over I-96 from June through    August, with traffic detoured using Patterson Avenue, M-11 and Kraft Avenue.

Safety benefit: This work will improve the driving surface and extend the service life of the roadway and bridge.

Silver River Bridge Replacement in Keweenaw County

Work will begin on Tuesday, April 25 on the Silver River bridge replacement project as part of a $2.9 million investment to remove and replace the bridge this summer. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 35 jobs.

County:Keweenaw
Highway:M-26
Closest city:Eagle Harbor
Start date:Tuesday, April 25
Estimated end date:July 2023

Traffic restrictions:During the project, traffic will be detoured for approximately 10 weeks via a posted route on US-41. The M-26 closure will be just west of the western entrance to Brockway Drive, about 10 miles from Copper Harbor.

Safety benefit:This work will replace a bridge which has reached the end of its useful service life. The roadway section of the new bridge will be wider, including 12-foot lanes and 8-foot shoulders, providing more space and increased safety for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Next Phase of Work on Revive275 Project in Wayne County

Beginning Monday, April 24, the Revive275 project is moving into the phase of repairing and rebuilding over 25 miles of road, bridges and  

Funding for Revive I-275 is made possible by Governor Whitmer's Rebuilding Michigan program focused on state highways and bridges that are critical to Michigan’s economy and carry the most traffic.

County:Wayne County
Highway:I-275 and I-94
Closest city:Romulus
Start date:Monday, April 24
Estimated end date:Late July

Traffic restrictions:

M-153:Beginning Monday, April 24, eastbound M-153 (Ford Road) ramp to northbound I-275 will close through late July. The detour will be eastbound M-153 (Ford Road) to southbound I-275, then to US-12 (Michigan Avenue) to northbound I-275.

I-275:Beginning 7 a.m., Monday, May 1, northbound I-275 ramps to eastbound and westbound I-94 will close through early July.

Detour: Northbound I-275 traffic will continue north to Ecorse Road, then head westbound on Ecorse Road to southbound I-275, then southbound I-275 to eastbound or westbound I-94.

I-94:

Beginning 7 a.m., Monday, May 1, eastbound I-94 ramp to northbound I-275 will close through early July.

Beginning 7 a.m., Monday, May 8, westbound I-94 ramp to northbound I-275 will close through early July.

Detour: Eastbound and westbound I-94 traffic will use southbound I-275 to eastbound Eureka Road, then to northbound I-275.

Safety benefit:This work will improve the driving surface and extend the service life of the roadway.

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   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.