Governor Gretchen Whitmer officially marked the start of the 2026 road construction season in Michigan at an event in Plymouth on Wednesday, announcing a nearly $2 billion investment in state and local roads.
The announcement came as part of Whitmer's "Get-Shit-Done" tour, which focuses on highlighting progress over the past seven years. Through seven balanced, bipartisan budgets, more than $31 billion has been invested into fixing Michigan's roads and bridges, according to the governor's office.
"We ran on fixing the damn roads, and I am proud to keep my promise and get it done with this year's balanced, bipartisan budget," Whitmer said. "We're making a historic nearly $2 billion investment to fix state and local roads, create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, and lower costs for drivers across Michigan."
The long-term road funding package was announced in October 2025, allocating nearly $2 billion annually into Michigan's state and local roads. The administration says the road funding package protects funding for schools and other essential services.
Rob Coppersmith, executive vice president of the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association, called the investment "decades in the making." He said it happened because leaders finally put Michigan ahead of politics.
The governor estimates that 26,500 lane miles of road and almost 2,000 bridges will be fixed between when she took office in 2019 and the end of the 2026 construction season.
An ongoing three-year project on M-14 in Wayne County was part of the focus of the event. The project is expected to be completed in November and includes major reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads and bridges in the area.
Adam Penzenstadler, manager of MDOT's Taylor Transportation Service Center, said the project was made possible through Whitmer's Rebuilding Michigan program. He said it also allowed for rebuilding some of the I-275 non-motorized pathway and several major ramps at the interchange.
State transportation officials are warning drivers to prepare for widespread construction impacts as warmer weather accelerates project timelines across metro Detroit. Most of the work will be concentrated in Wayne and Oakland counties.
"We've got a little bit of everything going on, mostly in Wayne and Oakland counties, and so, wherever you are driving, chances are you're going to be impacted by construction," said Diane Cross, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Officials urged motorists to remain cautious, follow posted signage and plan for delays throughout the season.