Rebuilding Michigan projects take shape across the state and an update on bonding

On this week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, an update on Rebuilding Michigan road and bridge projects across the state as the 2022 construction season begins in earnest.

First, Gregg Brunner, director of MDOT’s Bureau of Field Services, talks about how the department, consultants, and contractors mitigated challenges from spring weather as well as supply chains and labor availability. He also offers progress reports on several high-profile road projects. 

Later, MDOT Finance Director Patrick McCarthy makes a repeat appearance to outline the Rebuilding Michigan bonding program and explain how it benefits the state. 

Brunner talks about several high-profile projects that involve completely rebuilding busy segments of freeways including: 

• I-96 Flex Route in western Oakland County,
• I-275 in western Wayne County,
•  I-69 near Flint,
• I-94 in Jackson, which includes installation of a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) at US-127, the third DDI in Michigan, and
• I-196 west of Grand Rapids in Ottawa County. 

In his overview of the bonding program, McCarthy explains why the ratings agencies looked so favorably on the sales and how they sold at a premium. 

He also explains how, with recent increases in the costs of materials and labor, MDOT’s issuance of the first rounds of bonds were especially timely and produced even more savings than previously expected. Looking in the bond sales also helped avoid some of the increases from inflation.

Podcast photo: I-69/I-475 interchange Rebuilding Michigan project in Flint.