It wasn’t a perfect solution, not by a long shot, but with winter just around the corner, road crews are going to work immediately, courtesy of an agreement hammered out by Gov. Rick Snyder Thursday.

The Associated Press reports the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association will end a lockout that started Sept. 4, allowing unionized operators of cranes and other heavy equipment will return to work.

MITA, the trade association representing contractors, locked out the union after union officials said they didn’t want to negotiate a new contract with MITA, but with individual contractors. Several attempts to break the impasse in the interim failed.

According to AP, the breakthrough came after the Snyder administration started strong-arming both sides: Contractors were advised they could face monetary damages for late completion of projects and while the union was told the governor was considering bringing in machine operators from the Michigan National Guard to resume work.

“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 in prepared remarks distributed to media. “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 complete.”

With so much time lost, it’s unclear how much of the many projects started across the state will be completed before the snow flies.

At least, they’re back to work.