LANSING – The Michigan House of Representatives today approved a plan that will create jobs for more than 23,800 Michigan workers, stimulate our economy and bring much-needed improvement to Michigan's ailing roads and bridges. The economic stimulus plan that will pump more than $635 million into Michigan's economy now heads to the Senate for approval.
"Improving Michigan's roads and bridges is essential to our economic development," said Speaker Pro Tempore Pam Byrnes (D-Lyndon Township), Chair of the House Transportation Committee. "The construction projects included in this plan will benefit Michigan now by creating thousands of good-paying jobs for our residents and for years to come as we work to improve our economy and move our state forward."
The $635 million federal stimulus package will create funding for more than 130 road and bridge improvement projects around the state, and create jobs for Michigan workers. Some of the projects include:
- $26.4 million to repair and reconstruct I-475 in Genesee County;
- $24.4 million to repair and reconstruct I-94 in Washtenaw County;
- $21.8 million to repair and reconstruct I-196 in Kent County;
- $60 million to reconstruct and widen M-59 in Oakland County near Pontiac; and
- $68 million to reconstruct and widen I-94 in Kalamazoo County.
"Investing in our infrastructure creates jobs for our workers and stimulates our economy," said State Representative Lee Gonzales (D-Flint Township), Chair of the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee. "These state-wide projects will open the door for economic growth across Michigan and let job providers know we're serious about making our state an attractive place to do business. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to approve this plan to ensure that Michigan's economic development and job creation efforts are not delayed."