Governor Granholm Signs Legislation Authorizing $873 Million in Road Projects

March 31, 2009

Federal recovery funding will create 25,000 jobs, help revitalize economy

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed legislation authorizing Michigan to spend $873 million of federal recovery money on hundreds of road and transit projects across the state that will create approximately 25,000 jobs.

"This legislation gives the green light to hundreds of projects that will put thousands of Michigan citizens to work within weeks, doing the vital work of improving our crumbling roads and bridges all across the state," Granholm said.  "It was essential to get this legislation passed in time for construction season, and I want to thank our legislators for moving so fast.  Pumping this federal money into the state's economy quickly will help accomplish our goal of using it to accelerate our own recovery plan for Michigan."

The legislation authorized Michigan to spend $873 million in money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for a range of "shovel-ready" projects such as road-resurfacing, rehabilitation and widening, bridge rehabilitation, and transportation enhancement projects. The projects were chosen by planners, engineers, and local leaders and cover every region of the state.

The bill allows spending of a total of $873 million for Michigan transportation, with $635.4 million directed to the state trunkline (US, I and M routes) fund, $211.8 million directed to programs administered by local jurisdictions, and $25.8 million directed to rural and intercity bus capital projects.

Just a few examples of projects include repair of 11 bridges over I-96 in Detroit ($22 million), reconstruction and widening of I-196 in Kent County ($30 million), and road reconstruction and bridge work on I-475 in Genesee County ($26 million).

The spending is the first use of Michigan's share of about $7 billion in federal recovery money that the state will invest in accelerating its own recovery plan.  It is in addition to approximately $980 million the state is spending on transportation funding this year, which will create more than 27,000 additional jobs.

"These recovery projects will allow Michigan construction workers to keep working in Michigan," said state Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle.  "It is also a shot in the arm for our transportation system.  Although this won't meet all our state's long-term transportation needs, it's a huge step toward making our roads and bridges safer for our citizens and visitors and attracting new employers."