LANSING – A labor dispute that stalled more than 100 Michigan road projects for more than three weeks has ended for now and work is resuming immediately, Gov. Rick Snyder said Thursday.

The Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association, representing the contractors, and the union, Operating Engineers Local 324, agreed to continue working without a contract through the 2018 construction season, Snyder said in a news release.

The union and the contractors have agreed to mediation through the winter.

It could be several days before officials know for sure whether projects on high-traffic freeways such as I-696 in Macomb County or I-75 just south of Detroit can still be completed before winter, said Michigan Department of Transportation spokesman Jeff Cranson.

There is a strong likelihood crews could work nights and weekends on those jobs — and others — to make up for lost time, he said.

The breakthrough came after the Snyder administration stepped up pressure on both sides in recent days, telling the contractors they could face monetary damages for late completion of projects and telling the union the governor was considering bringing in machine operators from the Michigan National Guard to resume work.

Near the end of the impasse, the contractors began recruiting nonunion workers to restart projects.

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“This is great news, and I appreciate that both sides were able to see how important the work they do is to the safety and quality of life for all Michiganders,” Snyder said. “The vital work of getting Michigan’s roads repaired should not have stalled, but the important thing now is that projects will be getting back on track. A long-term solution to the contract negotiations still needs to be worked out, but that can and should be done after this construction season is completed.”

MITA locked out the union on Sept. 4. The union had maintained it didn't want to negotiate a new contract with MITA, but with individual contractors.

Under an agreement reached with help from the governor's office, MITA will end the lockout and the unionized operators of cranes and other heavy equipment will return to work immediately, Snyder said.

Priority will be given to projects that can be completed before winter. Other projects will continue for as long as possible, including work to prepare them for safe winter travel if they cannot be completed.

Cranson said 89 state trunkline projects were affected by the labor dispute, as well as dozens of local road projects.

"We probably won't know real details for a week or so," in terms of revised completion dates, he said.

"Work will begin, if not today, then tomorrow," he said Thursday.

Mike Nystrom, a MITA vice president, said he understands the frustration the work stoppages has caused.

Still, “our association has an important responsibility to our members who are committed to doing the best work they can to build and maintain Michigan’s infrastructure on behalf of taxpayers,” Nystrom said.

“We appreciate the governor’s commitment to resolving this issue in a satisfactory manner for both sides so we can get these road projects underway again. Our members will work with MDOT to get things wrapped up as quickly as possible and get lanes open again for motorists.”

Ken Dombrow, president of the union local, said: “Our members are ready to get back on their machines and get these projects done across the state — and look forward to working again as soon as we can."

Dombrow said the union still has issues to work out .

"We appreciate Gov. Snyder’s willingness to not take sides and to remain focused on finding a way to get the work done," he said.

MDOT will continue to review contract provisions related to completion dates and possible financial penalties, the release said.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @paulegan4.