LANSING — Since early September, work has stopped on road work projects throughout the state as a result of a contractor initiated work lock-out. This has exacerbated Macomb County’s already crumbling roads as a result of years of mismanagement and underfunding, and created additional hardship for drivers with the work on I-696. In response, state Rep. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) issued the following statement:
“Gov. Rick Snyder is considering activating the National Guard to do road work, but there are steps he can take before he resorts to that drastic measure to end this work lock-out that has stalled road projects in my district and across the state. Road workers have said they are ready to come back to work tomorrow. Detours are costing residents in my communities money and time with their families. Before he resorts to bringing in the National Guard to do road work, Gov. Snyder needs to hold the contractors accountable, levy fines and penalties that are called for in their contracts, and see if that ends this lock-out and lets workers back on the job.