Secretary’s first visit to Michigan comes the same year that Governor Whitmer makes the largest infrastructure investment in the state’s history? 

LANSING, MI -- On May 25th, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg will attend the Detroit Regional Chamber’s 2022 Mackinac Policy Conference. Secretary Buttigieg will deliver a keynote address on Wednesday, June 1 at 1:15PM and host a joint press conference with the governor later in the day. 

“I’m thrilled to welcome Secretary Buttigieg to the Mackinac Policy Conference. This is an incredible opportunity to highlight our effective collaboration with the U.S. Department of Transportation, share best practices, and showcase the historic infrastructure investments we’re making in Michigan to fix the damn roads and bridges,” said Governor Whitmer. "Since I took office through the end of this year, Michigan will fix over 16,000 lane miles of road and 1,200 bridges while supporting nearly 89,000 jobs. We’re fixing our infrastructure with the right mix and materials, so it stays fixed. Now, we have an opportunity, backed by the largest infrastructure investments in the history of our state, to rebuild our infrastructure the right way for working families, communities, and small businesses.”? 

“Michigan is a great place to talk transportation – it's home to many of the world’s great car manufacturers and a Governor who has been a nation-leader on 'fixing the damn roads,'” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “As we use President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to modernize America’s roads, bridges, rail, ports, and more, we will do so in partnership with leaders in Michigan like those I’m meeting at this conference. Together we are building a transportation system that will drive American economic success for generations.” 

Building Michigan Together Plan? 

The bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan that Governor Whitmer signed into law this year includes some of the largest infrastructure investments in Michigan history. The plan will replace 20,000 lead service lines, initiate dozens of road and bridge projects, build thousands of affordable housing units, expand high-speed internet to more families and small businesses, and improve our state and local parks.  

Rebuilding Michigan ? 

Governor Whitmer’s $3.5 billion Rebuilding Michigan plan is rebuilding state highways and bridges that are critical to the state’s economy and carry the most traffic. The plan’s strategy is aimed at improving the condition and quality of the state’s infrastructure in the long-run. Additionally, this strategy allows MDOT to address key corridors and rebuild major segments of highly travelled interstates. 

Protecting Clean Water 

Governor Whitmer’s MI Clean Water plan and Building Michigan Together Plan have invested nearly $4 billion combined to upgrade water infrastructure, replace lead service lines, and deliver clean water to schools and families while supporting 57,000 jobs. Since taking office, she has invested more resources into water infrastructure than the previous eight years combined. 

She also worked closely with Attorney General Dana Nessel to achieve the largest settlement in Michigan history for Flint’s children and families, totaling $600 million, and established some of the strongest standards against toxic contaminants in our water supply. 

Expanding High-Speed Internet