By Governor Gretchen Whitmer
It’s springtime in Michigan. That means more sunshine, warmer temperatures, and the anticipation of a Pure Michigan summer. It also means road construction season is back. That’s a big deal this year. Thanks to the largest bipartisan roads deal in Michigan history, we’re fixing more state and local roads than ever before, lowering costs for drivers and creating tens of thousands of jobs.
When I ran for office in 2018, Michigan roads were in bad shape. Drivers white-knuckled it over too many pothole-plagued roads and bridges. Businesses dealt with unreliable infrastructure that made it harder to move goods and grow. Too many Michiganders spent more on car repairs and dealt with daily frustrations just trying to get where they needed to go. I heard that complaint everywhere I went in 2018, and it’s one of reasons I made the promise to fix the damn roads.
As governor, I’ve kept my promise. Over the past several years under the Rebuilding Michigan plan, we’ve rebuilt and repaired some of the busiest roads across the state – filling potholes, modernizing bridges, and making commutes safer and smoother. This work didn’t happen overnight, and it wasn’t always easy, but it was consistent. Every construction project you pass is part of the larger effort to make sure Michiganders can rely on the roads beneath them.
Rebuilding Michigan was a step forward, but it was a short-term fix. Fixing the damn roads meant finding a long-term, sustainable plan – one that didn’t just address state highways, but local roads and bridges too. Last year, we got it done. Republicans and Democrats; labor and business; counties and municipalities all came together to deliver the largest roads funding deal in Michigan’s history. We’reinvesting in our infrastructure for the long haul.
Now, because of that work, more Michiganders will have safer, smoother drives – whether they’re heading to work, school, or the store. Drivers will deal with fewer popped tires and costly repairs. Thousands of workers will have good-paying jobs helping to rebuild our infrastructure. And businesses will have the reliable roads they need to keep Michigan’s economy moving.
Through the end of this construction season, we will have fixed more than 26,500 lane miles of road, nearly 2,000 bridges, and supported tens of thousands of jobs each year. So, when you see those orange barrels on your drive…remember to slow down. There are Michiganders at work. And if you find yourself complaining about just how much construction you see… I’m sorry, but you’re welcome. Because construction season is open, and we’re building a stronger, safer Michigan for tomorrow.
