Governor Whitmer today announced that multiple road repair projects are expected to begin on Monday, April 25. The projects include repairing I-96 near M-6 in Kent County, and a new ramp and interchange connector coming to I-96 and M-21 (Fulton Street). Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to directly and indirectly support 242 jobs.
“Across Michigan, we are fixing the damn roads to save motorists time and money. Investments like these in Kent County will ensure that drivers can go to work, drop their kids off at school, or run errands safely,” said Governor Whitmer. “These projects in Kent County will improve ride quality, reduce congestion, and extend the service life of this critical roadway. This year, Michiganders will see more orange barrels and cones than ever before as we move forward at record pace to fix roads and bridges across Michigan. Since I took office, we’ve repaired, rebuilt, or replaced over 13,000 lane miles of road and 900 bridges, supporting nearly 82,000 jobs. And both my Rebuilding Michigan Plan and the recently enacted Building Michigan Together Plan will turbocharge our efforts to fix our roads with the right mix and materials, making them much less susceptible to our notorious pothole seasons, all without raising taxes by a cent.”
“The I-96 corridor that runs through Kent County is such a vital artery for so many people to get to and from work, recreational activities, tourist destinations, and more. I look forward to the impact these improvements to the roads will make for residents and visitors alike,” said State Senator Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids). "After years of neglect of our roads and bridges around the state, I am pleased to see this critical project get started and provide good-paying jobs in the process.”
“I’m proud of the significant improvements that have been made in Grand Rapids to I-96 and I-196,” said State Representative Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids). “These next projects will continue to deliver good jobs and quality infrastructure that will enhance our community and keep our economy moving forward.”
Repairing I-96 near M-6 in Kent County
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is investing approximately $15 million to rebuild more than 2 miles of eastbound and westbound I-96 between Thornapple River Drive and Whitneyville Avenue in Cascade Township. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 191 jobs.
| County: | Kent |
| Highway: | I-96 |
| Closest city: | Grand Rapids |
| Start date: | Monday, April 25, 2022 |
| Estimated end date: | Late November 2022 |
| Traffic restrictions: | Lane closures and traffic shifts will be in effect throughout the project, with one lane open in each direction. Traffic will be crossed over to share the same side of the roadway while the other direction is rebuilt. |
| Safety benefit: | This project will improve the ride quality and extend the service life of the roadway. |
New ramp and interchange connector coming to I-96 and M-21 (Fulton Street)
MDOT is investing approximately $4 million to build a new eastbound M-21 ramp to eastbound I-96 and build an interchange connection lane on eastbound I-96 from M-21 to Cascade Road. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 51 jobs.
| County: | Kent |
| Highway: | I-96 |
| Closest city: | Grand Rapids |
| Start date: | Monday, April 25, 2022 |
| Estimated end date: | Mid-September 2022 |
| Traffic restrictions: | Lane closures and traffic shifts will be in effect throughout the project. Eastbound M-21 will be closed between E. Beltline Avenue and I-96. Through-traffic will be detoured to Cascade Road or to the E. Beltline Avenue/I-96 interchange. |
| Safety benefit: | The new ramp will give motorists more access to I-96 while the interchange connection lane will increase safety and ease congestion. |
Since Governor Whitmer took office, Michigan has repaired, rebuilt, or replaced 13,198 lane miles of road and 903 bridges, supporting nearly 82,000 jobs. Recently, Governor Whitmer signed the Building Michigan Together Plan, a bipartisan plan to invest nearly $5 billion in Michigan’s infrastructure, grow the economy, create jobs, and benefit families in every region of the state. The Building Michigan Together Plan calls for critical investments of $645 million in Michigan’s infrastructure, including $317 million for road and bridge programs, benefitting both state and local projects.
Original source can be found here.
