Orange cones, yellow vests and braking lights crowd the downtown and city streets of Fenton. Road work on W. Shiawassee started in late 2020 and took a brief pause during the winter months, but has started up again in early April. W. Shiawassee is not the only area under construction, the Owen Road overpass is also getting rebuilt.

This year, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the “Rebuilding Michigan Roads Project”. This project started in March with the idea all about “keeping Michigan drivers safe on the roads,” according to Whitmer. She mentioned that, in the long run, rebuilding the roads will save money by cutting down the need for more costly repairs. 

This project has been in motion for three years. 16 bridges along I-75 and US-23 are getting steel beams repaired, deck replacement and protective protection epoxy coating. The cost of just these bridges is at an average of $12 million dollars.   

The project is being paid for by the previously funded department’s budget and also through the Rebuilding Michigan Program. 

Shiawassee Avenue construction is expected to conclude in late May of 2021, while the Owen Road overpass is though to be finished in early to mid June. There are future street projects happening on North Leroy Street. After a recent water main ruption, the asphalt roadway, concrete curbing and sidewalks have to be removed to complete work. This repair will cost $22,500, approved by the Fenton City Council. 

Throughout the summer of 2021, there will be countless roads, including Ellen Street, Walnut Street and Adelaide Street that will receive crack sealing; costing close to $11,000 dollars. 

Construction in Fenton will continue throughout the summer and fall of 2021. Funding for the roadwork is coming through federal funds. Motorists in Fenton will have to navigate through numerous road construction projects as they drive through the city.