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Mich. Deal Allows Many Transportation Projects to Proceed, Extends Schedules for Those Shut Down | Columbus Ohio Dump Trucks

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Contractors will get completion date extensions if road projects are delayed due to COVID-19

After a call from the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association to reclassify all state transportation projects as "non-essential," and, therefore, close them under the state's stay-at-home order, Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) clarified her state's order and reached an agreement with MITA April 1 to allow construction to proceed on state highway, bridge and road projects.

[For ENR’s latest coverage of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, click here]

"We respect the Governor’s decision to continue columbus oh dump truck work on state projects where and when our Charlotte NC dump truck contractor and their workers can stay on the job in a safe manner," said MITA Executive Vice President Mike Nystrom, in a statement. "Our understanding is that essential construction projects will proceed where possible and where the health and safety of workers can be protected following the universal precautions recommended by public health agencies and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

MITA Is a trade association that represents over 500 transportation construction companies statewide. Under the agreement, a contractor that has workforce concerns directly related to COVID-19—such as labor force shortages, supply chain challenges and/or personal protective columbus oh dump truck equipment concerns—can make its concerns known to the Michigan Dept. of Transportation and request the project be shut down and delayed. If the request is approved by MDOT, an extension of time for the delay will be granted and the contractor will not be held liable for liquidated damages related to the delay.

Nystrom said local agency and other critical infrastructure projects can also proceed, if the local government owner deems the project essential and with the same completion date and liquidated damages terms as MDOT projects.

"Some limited forms of construction are permissible [under the governor's stay-at-home order], including construction to maintain and improve essential public works like roads, bridges, the telecommunications infrastructure and public health infrastructure," said Tiffany Brown, press secretary to Gov. Whitmer about the state's stay-at-home order. All such continuing projects must adopt social distancing practices and other mitigation measures, per the order.

Two major projects—the $5.7-billion Gordie Howe Bridge and the $629-million Interstate 75 reconstruction—will continue construction with the new precautions in place.