(The Center Square) – The Michigan Department of Transportation is spending at least another $5 million toward road repairs this week.
The roadwork, which stretches across four counties, includes resurfacing M-89/M-43 in Allegan County, rebuilding the I-69 bridge in Eaton County, rebuilding the US-127 bridge in Ingham County and resurfacing M-134 in Mackinac County. The four projects are expected to support 2,542 jobs.
MDOT will spend $1.2 million to resurface 4 miles of M-89/M-43, from 8th Street to the Allegan/Barry County line along Doster Road. Construction began Monday and is expected to be completed in August. Residents should expect lane closures and detours . About 15 jobs will be supported by this project.
In Eaton County, MDOT is spending $2.8 million toward rebuilding the I-69 Business Loop bridge over the Battle Creek River in Charlotte. Construction began Monday, and will finish toward the end of October. During this time, motorists should seek alternate routes to avoid the Cochran Avenue bridge area. The project is expected to support 34 jobs.
“The I-69 Business Loop bridge is essential to the commutes of many residents in our hometowns, which is why this $2.8 million investment is vital,” state Rep. Angela Witwer, D-Delta Township, said. “This revitalization of our infrastructure will not only improve road safety, but will also support economic development by creating jobs.”
Ingham County residents should expect Forest Road under US-127 to be closed as MDOT workers rebuild its overpass until June 27. This project is just one aspect of the complete overhaul of US-127 from I-96 to I-496, which is expected to cost $205 million total.
In Mackinac County, $1 million will be spent to resurface nearly 7 miles of M-134 from Nunns Creek Road to 3 Mile Road. During the daytime, motorists should watch for one lane of alternating traffic until project completion on Aug. 30. Economic modeling estimates this project will support 12 jobs.
All repairs across the four counties are supported by taxpayer dollars through the Rebuilding Michigan plan. The five year, $3.5 billion investment works in tandem with the Building Michigan Together Plan, the largest investment in infrastructure in the state’s history.
