WEST BRANCH – State Rep. Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch) today announced five major road projects in northern Michigan that will create jobs and strengthen the economy under Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm's Jobs Today program.
"These road projects will bring jobs to northern Michigan, and will help bring relief to our working families," Sheltrown said. "These projects also will help jump-start our economy and get it back on the right track. Improving our roads will strengthen our communities and create more opportunities for our workers. This is great news for northern Michigan."
The local projects Sheltrown announced today include:
- Reconstruct and repave Bissonette Road from Lorenz Road to Chambers Road in Iosco County.
- Reconstruct River Road, adding a center lane, concrete curb and gutter, and drainage facilities in Iosco County.
- Resurface and pave Fairview Road from Gravel Pit Road to Rose City Road in Ogemaw County's West Branch Klacking Townships.
- Construct a right turn lane on CR 100 at the South Higgins Lake State Park entrance in Roscommon County.
- Culvert replacement and surface work on CR 304 (Heightsview Drive) from M-55 to M-55 in Roscommon County.
The five projects will total an estimated $2.4 million.
Under the Jobs Today plan, the state will accelerate 10 years' worth of construction projects, totaling nearly $4 billion, into three years. The projects range from road construction projects and pollution clean-up to building nursing homes and other public works projects. In 2006 and 2007, the construction projects under Jobs Today are expected to generate a total of 7,100 jobs in local communities across Michigan.