Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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October 23, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2024
Contact: michiganinfrastructure@michigan.gov
$352 Million Infrastructure Investment in Monroe County will Help Fix the Damn Roads and Create Over 4,000 Good-Paying Jobs
Funding will replace River Raisin Bridge and support I-75 Revitalization Project in Erie Township
LANSING, Mich.— Today, The Michigan Infrastructure Office announced a project to replace the River Raisin Bridge and a critical stretch of Interstate 75 (I-75) has been awarded a $196 million federal grant. The federal funding will help the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) complete the $352 million project and support 4,529 jobs.
In addition to replacing the deteriorated River Raisin freeway bridge, the project will update interchanges for improved access to downtown Monroe and rebuild approximately three miles of I-75. Funded under the U.S. DOT’s Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program, the project will improve infrastructure and enhance safety for commuters.
“Today, with our partners in the Biden-Harris administration, we are revitalizing the River Raisin Bridge and fixing a critical part of I-75 in Monroe County,” said Governor Whitmer. “Every day, more than 61,000 vehicles cross the bridge, helping businesses deliver goods, connecting people to jobs and health care, and supporting the local economy. With this new project, we are improving access to downtown Monroe, easing the flow of traffic, and better protecting commuters. Since I took office, I’ve been focused on fixing the damn roads and bridges, and with federal support, we’re going to keep getting it done.”
The River Raisin Bridge, which carries I-75 over the River Raisin, is a crucial link between Michigan’s National Highway System and National Truck Network. As the primary route connecting Monroe to Detroit and Ohio, the corridor supports travel, commerce, and supply chains that are essential to the region's economy. This project, in addition to replacing the bridge, will right-size interchanges into downtown Monroe, streamline traffic flow, and make travel safer for all drivers. The project also aims to ensure I-75 remains a resilient corridor capable of sustaining regional, statewide, and national needs.
“I am very pleased that the federal government recognized the importance of this bridge on one of the state’s busiest routes serving commuters, tourists and commercial traffic,” said MDOT Director Bradley C. Wieferich. “I want to thank the members of my team who worked so hard on this application as well as the Biden administration and Governor Whitmer for putting a spotlight on the need for more investment in roads and bridges.”
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize Michigan’s infrastructure by focusing on projects that yield maximum economic and community impact. With federal funding support, the River Raisin Bridge and I-75 Revitalization Project underscores the state’s commitment to building infrastructure that is sustainable, equitable, and future-ready. To date, Michigan has invested $3.5 billion into the Rebuilding Michigan Program, fixing 23,000 lane miles of road and 1,600 bridges while supporting over 89,000 good-paying jobs.
“For Michiganders, this is more than an upgrade of a bridge—this is an enhancement to daily life that provides safe and efficient access to their jobs, quality healthcare and education, strengthening economy and state supply chain," said Zachary Kolodin, Michigan’s chief infrastructure officer and director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. “The River Raisin project will help us achieve long-term sustainability goals by improving access for all modes of transportation and future-proofing infrastructure to support all types of vehicles. It will provide lasting benefits for the people, communities, and industries that make Michigan thrive.”
Michigan continues to lead the nation in bringing home federal funding investments to support infrastructure projects that will create thriving communities for generations to come. To date, Michigan has received more than $13 billion from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve infrastructure outcomes across the state while creating good-paying jobs, building climate resiliency, and lowering costs.
For more information about the Michigan Infrastructure Office, please visit www.michigan.gov/whitmer/issues/michigan-infrastructure-office.
ABOUT THE MICHIGAN INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICE
The MIO is responsible for organizing and executing Governor Whitmer’s vision for infrastructure, coordinating across state government, marshaling resources, and partnering with local officials, federal partners, and outside stakeholders to ensure resources sent to Michigan through BIL, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), are used efficiently and effectively.
Author:
Michigan Infrastructure Office