RELEASE: Governor Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects Starting This Week in St. Clair, Van Buren, Berrien, Macomb, and Ogemaw Counties

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

April 28, 2025

Governor Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects Starting This Week in St. Clair, Van Buren, Berrien, Macomb, and Ogemaw Counties

LANSING, Mich. —  Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin road repair projects this week in several counties across the state, including St. Clair, Van Buren, Berrien, Macomb, and Ogemaw. Based on economic modeling, this $5.6 million investment is expected to directly and indirectly support over 97 jobs.

“Across Michigan, we are moving dirt and fixing the damn roads to grow our economy, helping Michiganders go to work, drop their kids off at school, and run errands safely,” said Governor Whitmer. “By the end of this construction season, we will have fixed, repaired, or replaced nearly 24,500 lane miles of roads and 1,900 bridges, supporting thousands of good-paying, local jobs without raising taxes by a dime. This year, let’s build on our momentum to pass a bipartisan local road funding plan, so we can keep fixing our damn roads and creating good-paying, local jobs.”

M-29 Resurfacing in St. Clair County

MDOT is investing $1 million to resurface M-29 from Chartier Road to Belle River Avenue in Marine City, St. Clair County. Work will include an asphalt overlay, joint repairs, and upgrading sidewalks to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support ten jobs.

County:	St. Clair
Highways:	I-69
Closest cities:	Marine City
Start date:	Monday, April 28, 2025
Estimated end date:	June 2025
Traffic restrictions:	One lane will remain open in each direction on M-29. Traffic restrictions for future locations during this project will be announced in advance.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve and extend the service lives of these structures. Lane closures during this type of work are necessary to provide the safest work area possible for crews and motorists.

Eastbound I-94 Pavement Repairs in Van Buren County

MDOT and Causie Contracting Inc. will begin work Monday on a $1.3 million investment to perform full-depth pavement repairs on eastbound I-94 between Paw Paw and Mattawan. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 12 jobs.

County:	Van Buren
Highways:	I-94
Closest cities:	Paw Paw and Mattawan
Start date:	Monday, April 28, 2025
Estimated end date:	May 2025
Traffic restrictions:	There will be single-lane closures on I-94
Safety benefit:	This investment will improve the driving surface and safety for motorists, as well as extending the life of the roadway.

Southbound US-31 Repairs in Berrien County

MDOT and contractor Cipparrone Contracting, Inc. will start repair work on southbound US-31 from M-139 to US-12. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 33 jobs.

County:	Berrien
Highways:	US-31
Closest cities:	Berrien Springs, Buchanan and Niles
Start date:	Monday, April 28, 2025
Estimated end date:	April 2025
Traffic restrictions:	One lane of southbound US-31 will remain open throughout construction, During the Berrien County Youth Fair, the contractor will be working on the southern portion of the project area to reduce traffic disruptions as much as possible. There will be short-duration closures of three ramps while concrete cures. Southbound US-31 Exit 3 to US-12. The Niles-Buchanan Road entrance ramp to southbound US-31. The Walton Road entrance ramp to southbound US-31.
Safety benefit:	This project will improve the pavement and extend the life of the roadway.

M-19 project from New Haven Road to 31 Mile Road in Macomb County

MDOT will soon begin a $3.2 million project on M-19 (Gratiot Avenue) between New Haven and 31 Mile roads, covering almost six miles in the village of New Haven, the city of Richmond and Lenox Township. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 31 jobs.

County:	Macomb
Highways:	M-13, 31 Mile Road
Closest cities:	New Haven, Richmond, and Lenox Township
Start date:	Monday, April 28, 2025
Estimated end date:	July 2025
Traffic restrictions:	Flag control on M-19 (Gratiot Avenue) will be performed in half-mile sections starting near New Haven Road toward 31 Mile Road. The work schedule will normally occur Monday-Friday unless weather or delays require weekend work.
Safety benefit:	This work will improve and extend the service lives of these structures. Lane closures during this type of work are necessary to provide the safest work area possible for crews and motorists.

M-55/Rifle River Trail right-turn lane in Ogemaw County

MDOT will invest $179,209 to build a right-turn lane on eastbound M-55 at the Rifle River Trail intersection in Ogemaw County. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support two jobs.

County:	Ogemaw
Highways:	M-55
Closest cities:	West Branch
Start date:	Monday, April 28, 2025
Estimated end date:	May 2025
Traffic restrictions:	This work will require single-lane closures with traffic regulators and shoulder closures on M-55.
Safety benefit:	This new turn lane, along with new pavement markings, will improve safety and traffic flow at this intersection.

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