Governor Whitmer Kicks Off 2026 Road Construction Season With Nearly $2 Billion Investment

Orange Barrels Signal Start of Construction Season Across Michigan

PLYMOUTH, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer officially marked the start of Michigan's 2026 road construction season Wednesday, highlighting a historic investment plan that promises to fix more than 26,500 lane miles of road and nearly 2,000 bridges since she took office in 2019.

The governor kicked off construction season at an event in Plymouth as part of her "Get-Shit-Done" tour, focusing on sharing Michigan's progress over the past seven years.

"With the start of construction season, we will fix more of the damn roads in communities across Michigan," Whitmer said. "I 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."

The administration announced nearly $2 billion in investment for state and local roads, creating tens of thousands of good-paying union jobs and lowering costs for drivers across the state.

Seven-Year Investment in Infrastructure

Through seven balanced, bipartisan budgets approved since 2019, more than $31 billion has been invested into fixing Michigan's roads and bridges. The governor's office estimates that the infrastructure work will complete approximately 26,500 lane miles of road and almost 2,000 bridges by 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 Wednesday event. The project includes major reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads and bridges, expected completion in November.

"Thanks to the governor's Rebuilding Michigan program, MDOT was able to rebuild this segment of M-14 and some of the state's most heavily traveled freeways across the state," said Adam Penzenstadler, manager of MDOT's Taylor Transportation Service Center. "That also allowed for rebuilding some of the I-275 non-motorized pathway and several major ramps at the interchange."

The project on M-14/I-96 is more than 60 percent complete and includes rebuilding four miles of highway, revamping 17 bridges, and installing sewer lines to improve drainage.

Long-Term Funding Package

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 package protects funding for schools and other essential services while increasing investment in roads, transportation, and infrastructure.

"This year's work will focus on the westbound direction of M-14, and including the median and all of the lanes. We anticipate substantial completion to be at the end of this year with restoration to be in the spring of next year," said Penzenstadler.

Rob Coppersmith, executive vice president of the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association, said the funding boost was decades in the making.

"This boost in investment was decades in the making, and it happened because leaders finally put Michigan ahead of politics," Coppersmith said.

Construction Projects Across Michigan

The 2026 construction season will bring orange barrels and lane closures across the state. Here's what's planned in key counties:

• Mason County: MDOT plans resurfacing work on U.S. 10 between Brye Road and U.S. 31
• Oceana County: Bridge work on U.S. 31 over the Pentwater River
• Muskegon: City officials announced reconstruction and infrastructure work on Catherine Avenue and Lakeshore Drive

The Michigan Department of Transportation is also working on repairs for bridges over U.S. 131 at 144th Avenue near Dorr, as well as I-196 over the Kalamazoo River east of Saugatuck.

Ottawa County Road Commission plans to install three roundabouts, overhaul two bridges, and work on four resurfacing projects in 2026. Allegan County Road Commission has six major road resurfacing efforts scheduled.

What Motorists Can Expect

State officials said motorists should expect traffic delays, lane closures, and detours throughout the construction season. The six-month-long orange barrel season will impact drivers statewide as crews work to improve safety and reduce maintenance costs.