LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin road and bridge repair projects next week including the M-25 rebuilding project in Marquette County and M-20, M-66, and Old 131 road improvement projects in Mecosta County. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to support 89 jobs.

“Across Michigan, we are moving dirt and fixing the damn roads in every region of our state, from Southeast Michigan all the way to the UP,” said Governor Whitmer. “This week’s projects in Marquette and Mecosta counties will support 89 jobs. Since I took office through the end of this construction season, we will have fixed nearly 20,000 lane miles of road and 1,400 bridges, supporting over 89,000 jobs without raising taxes by a dime. Each of the projects we’re working on will make a real difference in people’s lives, keep drivers safe, and ensure people can get to where they need to go. Let’s keep our foot on the accelerator and get things done.”

M-35 Rebuilding Project in Marquette County

MDOT, Forsyth Township, and the Marquette County Road Commission plan to invest about $4.4 million to rebuild .66 miles of M-35 from east of Smith Street to the east branch of the Escanaba River in Gwinn, Marquette County. Work includes asphalt rebuilding; concrete curb, gutter, and sidewalk ramp installation; storm sewer and drainage repairs; bridge approach repairs; watermain and sanitary sewer repairs; detour route improvements; and pavement markings. Work on Southgate Drive detour route improvements is planned to start on May 8. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 53 jobs.

“I’m always happy to see various levels of government working together,” said state Representative Jenn Hill (D-Marquette). “This partnership is a win-win-win for the state, county and township, and their collaborative approach will ensure our infrastructure is maintained and improved as efficiently as possible."

County: Marquette
Highway: US-41
Closest city: Gwinn
Start date: Monday, May 8, 2023
Estimated end date: Oct-23
Traffic restrictions: During the project, traffic will be maintained using lane closures under traffic regulators and directional detours.
Safety benefit: Long-term benefits include improvements to vehicle and pedestrian safety and operations.

M-20, M-66 and Old 131 Road Improvement Projects in Mecosta County

MDOT will invest $3 million to improve approximately 30 miles of roadway in Mecosta County with a mix of maintenance fixes including crack treatment, chip sealing, and asphalt pavement repairs. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support 36 jobs.

County: Mecosta
Highway: M-20 from Bronson Avenue in Big Rapids to Maple Street in Remus, M-66 from 17 Mile Road to 19 Mile Road, and Old 131 (Northland Drive) from 19 Mile Road to Meceola Road (Mecosta/Osceola County line).
Closest city: Big Rapids
Start date: Monday, May 8, 2023
Estimated end date: Aug-23
Traffic restrictions: Lane closures and traffic shifts will be in effect. Both directions of traffic will share one lane and alternate via traffic regulators.
Safety benefit: This work will extend the service life of the roadway and improve the drive.

 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.