Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday that her Rebuild Michigan initiative has started its first project – a new freeway on I-496 in Eaton County.
The project is one of more than 120 on roads throughout the state, paid for by bond financing approved by the Michigan Transportation Commission. Financing is expected to be completed soon to allow the transportation department to begin on more projects.
On I-496, the department will remove old pavement to rebuild the freeway completely, a move planners said will save commuters and commercial haulers countless hours and money lost to delays from ongoing maintenance.
“This freeway has been held together with patches and emergency repairs for too long,” said Gov. Whitmer. “When the dirt begins to fly, it will mean the Rebuilding Michigan initiative is rebuilding roads, so commuters know they will have a smooth and reliable ride for many decades to come. I look forward to long-term fixes like this across the state over the next few years.”
The Michigan Department of Transportation will invest an estimated $60 million to improve the state highway between I-96 and Lansing Road. Improvements will include rebuilding the freeway and ramps, doing preventative maintenance on all the bridge along the road, and making operational improvements to some interchanges.
The department said the improvement will increase safety and mobility in Lansing and connect local, national, and international trade routes. More information about the I-496 project is available at www.michigan.gov/496lansing.