FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 21, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT
Jeff Cranson
517-648-8247
CransonJ@Michigan.gov
MDOT video highlights another year of significant investment
in transportation infrastructure
Fast facts:
- A new Michigan Department of Transportation video highlights some of the most impactful projects statewide in 2022.
- The Rebuilding Michigan program provided another boost in funding to rebuild projects on Michigan's most traveled state highways and bridges.
- The funding supported more than 10,000 jobs across the state this year, and improved infrastructure will pave the way for more economic development and jobs in years to come.
LANSING, Mich. - As winter maintenance crews gear up for a major winter storm in the forecast, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has released a new video highlighting another year of progress in rebuilding Michigan's transportation infrastructure and the impact these projects had on local communities. With more than a billion dollars invested in roads and bridges across the state, MDOT and its partners delivered on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's promise to address decades of underinvestment in the state's transportation system.
The governor's Rebuilding Michigan program provided another boost in funding to rebuild projects on Michigan's most traveled state highways and bridges (I, M and US routes), as well as important tourist routes. These projects supported more than 10,000 jobs across the state, with the improved infrastructure paving the way for more economic development and jobs in years to come.
"No one gets as excited about infrastructure as I do. Over the last four years, we've made some incredible progress to fix those damn roads and bridges, repairing 16,000 lane miles and 1,200 bridges," said Gov. Whitmer. "Think about the incredible amount of work that goes into the engineering, digging up the old, laying all the new foundation. It is an incredible undertaking that has to be done with precision and skill so that we keep people safe on these roads, and that's why I am in awe of the incredible men and women who do this work."
In Flint, a $100 million project along I-69 and the I-475 interchange wrapped up this fall with bridge repairs and 2.5 miles of road rebuilt from Fenton Road to M-54. This busy corridor is vital to the state's manufacturing community and helps support more than 1,200 jobs throughout the area.
"It's really gratifying to see this new 21st century infrastructure that's going to serve our community, serve the people who live here but also help us to attract the kind of investment that is really essential to our future," said U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee.
In Mackinaw City, one of the busiest stretches of road for tourism saw a major overhaul with an important resurfacing and rebuilding project on I-75 and US-23 just south of the Mackinac Bridge, including the US-23 overpass at I-75 being rebuilt. Local law enforcement sees this project as another way to help keep motorists safe.
"MDOT coming in to improve the roadways, curbs, traffic, traffic controls… it's huge," said Mackinaw City Police Chief Todd Woods. "It's a benefit to the village itself and tourists who are coming up to see us."
In Berrien County, a new interchange connecting US-31 with I-94/I-196 finally became a reality after nearly three decades of challenges. The two-year, $94 million project included rebuilding 3.5 miles of I-94 and building new bridges at Britain Avenue and Benton Center Road to help traffic through the newly created interchange. This highly traveled route will benefit from quicker travel times and less congestion, making travel safer through the area.
"It's just great, and it's just going to build our commerce here so much," said Berrien County Commissioner Jim Martin. "This road connects north, south, east, and west now. It's like the hub coming from Chicago, from Indiana, coming down from the north from Grand Rapids, and coming over from Detroit."
More project information is available on the MDOT website.
###
Driving safely in work zones saves lives!
Protect MI work zones by taking the pledge.
www.twitter.com/MichiganDOT | www.facebook.com/MichiganDOT | www.youtube.com/MichiganDOT
The Michigan Department of Transportation:
Providing the highest quality integrated transportation services for economic benefit and improved quality of life.
www.Michigan.gov/MDOT | www.Michigan.gov/Drive | Contact MDOT