The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently approved 2008-2012 Five Year Transportation Program calls for $268 million in road and bridge improvements and preservation for MDOT's Grand Region — with more than $148 million planned during 2008.

The five-year plan continues to prioritize road and bridge preservation needs along major routes to improve the condition of the system and support the region's economy.

"The safety and mobility needs of West Michigan are a top priority for us, especially along significant corridors such as US-131, Interstate 96, Interstate 196, and US-31," said Roger Safford, Grand Region engineer. "Investments aimed at preserving and upgrading these facilities also will continue to support the economy of this region."

The 2008 MDOT Grand Region program includes $17 million for five projects advanced from future years as part of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm's economic stimulus package. Statewide, MDOT is accelerating nearly $150 million in road and bridge projects, which will create an estimated 2,100 jobs. About 245 of those jobs would be created in the Grand Region.

Investments for 2008 include nearly $50 million in capacity improvements, $30 million for reconstruction and rehabilitation, and $14.5 million in bridge repairs.

Some major projects planned for 2008 include:

• New interchange construction at Interstate 196 and Chicago Drive (Baldwin Street), Kent County
• Interstate 196 rehabilitation from Kenowa Avenue to Chicago Drive in Kent County
• Southbound US-131 resurfacing, from West River Drive to 10 Mile Road in Kent County
• Interstate 96 bridge repairs over Grand River Avenue in the city of Portland in Ionia County
• US-31 intersection safety improvements at the Filmore and New Holland intersections in Ottawa County
• US-31 rehabilitation from Winston Road to M-20 in Oceana County
• M-82 resurfacing from Fremont to Newaygo in Newaygo County
• M-20 rehabilitation from Catalpa Avenue to Cottonwood Avenue in Newaygo County
• M-20 rehabilitation from Newcosta Road to US-131 in Mecosta County
• M-91 resurfacing from Wise Road to Peck Road, including intersection improvements at Peck Road in Montcalm County

MDOT is also expanding the Intelligent Transportation System in Grand Rapids with the addition of a freeway detection system. The new system will allow the West Michigan Traffic Management Center to detect both the number and type of vehicles on the roadway as well as their speeds in order to provide traffic congestion information to motorists through message signs and the MIDrive website.

"Our investments over the next five years will help us to mitigate and better manage congestion, providing a more reliable transportation system for motorists," Safford added. "And by providing motorists with this information, they will be able to make better decisions regarding their travel."

MDOT's Grand Region serves eight counties in West Michigan: Ionia, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, and Ottawa.

For a complete copy of the 2008-2012 Five Year Transportation Program, visit MDOT's website at www.michigan.gov/mdot5yearplan.