RELEASE: Governor Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects Starting This Week in Ottawa, Kent, and Marquette Counties

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 9, 2025

Governor Whitmer Continues to Fix the Damn Roads with Projects Starting This Week in Ottawa, Kent, and Marquette 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 Ottawa, Kent, and Marquette. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to directly and indirectly support 48 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-45 Resurfacing in Ottawa and Kent Counties

MDOT is investing $2 million to resurface three miles of M-45 (Lake Michigan Drive) between Standale and Allendale. The project will cross the county line between Ottawa and Kent Counties. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 19 jobs.

Counties:	Ottawa, Kent
Highway:	M-45
Closest city:	Allendale
Start date:	Monday, June 9, 2025
Estimated end date:	Mid-August 2025
Traffic restrictions:	Lane closures will be in effect throughout the project. Short-term intersection closures will be in place during paving.
Safety benefit:	This project will improve the ride and extend the service life of the roadway.

M-35 Resurfacing Project in Marquette County

MDOT is investing about $3 million to resurface 11 miles of M-35 from the Delta County line to Marquette County Road 456 and rebuild a railroad crossing in Marquette County. The project will include asphalt overlay, shoulder work and pavement markings. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 29 jobs.

County:	Marquette
Highway:	M-35
Closest cities:	Little Lake, McFarland
Start date:	Monday, June 9, 2025
Estimated end date:	Late-July 2025
Traffic restrictions:	Motorists should expect single-lane closures with a traffic regulator.
Safety benefit:	This work will extend the lifespan of the roadway and increase safety for motorists.

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