November 16, 2004 - - Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm today announced more than $12 million in state-funded transportation investments that are targeted toward improving Michigan's road system in communities from the Upper Peninsula to Southeast Michigan.
The funding comes from two programs administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) and the Transportation Enhancement program (TE).
"These transportation investments help pave the way to a stronger economy and stronger communities," said Granholm. "By improving our state and local transportation systems we are enhancing our state status as a magnet for businesses, jobs and people who seek the quality of life that Michigan communities offer."
MDOT is partnering with road commissions in Clinton, Houghton, Lenawee, Roscommon and Washtenaw counties, and the cities of Mt. Pleasant and Greenville to fund the reconstruction and resurfacing projects. The projects were selected based on road condition, connectivity to other all-season roads, and the volume of commercial traffic.
"Seasonal weight restrictions on local roads can severely hamper a company's ability to receive and ship materials during the freeze-thaw cycles of late winter and early spring," said State Transportation Director Gloria J. Jeff. "These upgrades will provide continuous, all-season access to commercial routes and help keep local economies rolling.
Funding from the TEDF will help seven Michigan communities invest a total of almost $3.6 million for road improvements necessary for better traffic flow. TEDF will contribute more than $2.3 million for seven projects to create continuous all-season routes linking current and future manufacturers to state roads. Matching funds must be provided from local, state or federal sources.
Transportation Enhancement funding is also being awarded to 23 projects in 21 counties. The federal funding is earmarked for projects that enhance roadways beyond the traditional road or highway work.
"From building bike trails to beautifying downtown shopping districts and everything in between, we are turning our streets and roads into community assets," said Granholm.
Of the 23 projects, 16 are streetscape and landscape improvements in locations ranging from small downtown business districts, to M-1 (Woodward Avenue) in the heart of Detroit. Another seven projects focus on providing facilities for pedestrian and bicyclist travel on streets and highways, and on trails created for that purpose.
The 23 TE projects, totaling nearly $8.5 million in federal funds and over $3.9 million in state and local matching funds, result in a total transportation investment of more than $12.4 million. Streetscaping projects will improve the attractiveness of 8.3 miles of roadway serving commercial districts. Over 23 miles of wide paved shoulders and two miles of sidewalk and trail will be constructed, and over eight miles of abandoned railroad right-of-way will be acquired for development as a trail – all providing facilities for non-motorized travel.
"Since it was enacted by Congress 13 years ago, the Transportation Enhancement program has been a valuable resource to communities throughout the state seeking to provide non-motorized travel alternatives for their residents and visitors, beautify and revitalize their business districts and preserve and reuse historic transportation buildings and facilities," said Director Jeff. "More than 1,200 projects have been awarded funding so far, and we are pleased to add these 23 new projects to that impressive list."
APPROVED TEDF PROJECTS BY COUNTY
CLINTON
The Clinton County Road Commission will resurface and reconstruct portions of Chandler Road between State Road and the I-69 overpass. The over one-mile-long project will increase the size of the all-season road network in the county. The $468,750 project will receive $375,000 from the state TEDF.
HOUGHTON
The Houghton County Road Commission will crush, shape and resurface nearly one and a half miles of Houghton Canal Road (County Road 554) from M-26 to Old Mill Hill Road. The rehabilitation project will complete the urban portion of a developing all-season network in the northeastern part of the county. The $460,050 project will receive $368,000 from the state TEDF.
ISABELLA
The city of Mt. Pleasant will improve a half-mile segment of Bradley Street between High Street (M-20) and Broadway Street. This project will upgrade the final leg of an existing truck route to all-season standards. The $268,000 project will receive $214,400 from the state TEDF.
LENAWEE
The Lenawee County Road Commission will reconstruct over one mile of West Valley Road between M-52 and the bridge over Beaver Creek. The reconstruction project will also include geometry improvements and replacement of the bridge, which will allow for the development of a new all-season route north of the City of Adrian. The $1,062,000 project will receive $375,000 from the state TEDF.
MONTCALM
The city of Greenville will repair nearly one mile of Industrial Park Drive from M-57 to the city’s industrial park. This project will include the milling and resurfacing of the roadway in order to revitalize access to the city’s industrial area. The $443,000 project will receive $354,400 from the state TEDF.
ROSCOMMON
The Roscommon County Road Commission will upgrade three miles of Emery Road (County Road 400) between Reserve Road (County Road 401) and South Gladwin Road (M-61). The existing gravel road will be paved, allowing for the completion of a new all-season truck bypass route The new route will help relieve congestion through the Houghton Lake area along M-55. The $465,598 project will receive $365,278 from the state TEDF.
WASHTENAW
The Washtenaw County Road Commission will improve one-quarter mile of Milan-Oakville Road from the Milan city limits to Sanford Road. The reconstruction project will complete the all-season road network in southeastern Washtenaw County. The $400,000 project will receive $300,000 from the state TEDF.
APPROVED TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS BY COUNTY
BARAGA
The village of L'Anse will streetscape downtown Broad Street from Division Street to Baraga Street and Main Street from Fourth Street to Front Street. The project will create an inviting place for pedestrians, motorists, and entrepreneurs. Streetscape elements include bump-outs, trees, stamped concrete, planters, and decorative lighting. The project budget is $869,757 including $250,000 in Federal Transportation Enhancement funds, $619,757 from the village of L'Anse.
BAY
MDOT will partner with the city of Pinconning to streetscape one mile of M-13 from the east city limit to the west city limit in Bay County. The streetscape elements include shade trees, shrubs, ornamental lighting, stamped ornamental concrete sidewalks, planters and street furniture. This project will be coordinated with the 2005 reconstruction of M-13 by MDOT. The budget for this project is $599,449 including $419,614 in federal funds, $59,945 (10%) in matching funds from the city of Pinconning, and $119,890 (20%) in matching funds from MDOT.
BENZIE
MDOT will construct 1.1 miles of paved shoulder non-motorized facilities on both sides of M-22 from Esch Road north to Manning Road. This project will be a continuation of a project on M-22 south of Esch Road and will help complete access to many popular recreational facilities available within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The proposed budget is for $139,405 including $111,524 in federal funds and $27,881 from MDOT.
DICKINSON
The city of Norway will streetscape three-tenths of a mile of Main Street, between Fourth and Eighth avenues. The streetscape elements are ornamental concrete sidewalks and bump outs, ornamental street lighting and landscaping. The proposed budget is $409,750 including $204,875 in federal funds and $204,875 from the city of Norway.
GLADWIN
MDOT and the city of Gladwin will streetscape approximately one-half mile of M-61 from Bowery Street west to the city limits at M-18. The project is in the city of Gladwin, Grout Township, Gladwin County. The project involves the placement of decorative lights, trees, benches, and decorative stamped concrete sidewalk. The proposed budget for the project is $839,630 including $142,737 in federal funding, $33,214 (4%) from the city of Gladwin, $502,776 (60 percent) from Community Development Block Grant funds from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and $160,903 (19 percent) from MDOT.
GOGEBIC
MDOT will construct a nine-tenths of a mile, 10-foot wide, lighted, paved walkway/bicycle path around the east side of Sunday Lake along the west side of M-28, in the city of Wakefield, Gogebic County. The path will begin at the City Information Center near the intersection of US-2 and M-28 and end at the entrance to Eddy Park. This path will be within MDOT's right-of-way on M-28 and will connect the area of the city north of Sunday Lake and the park with the area south of the lake near the commercial district. The proposed budget is $187,630, with $150,104 in federal funds and $37,526 from MDOT.
HURON
MDOT, in partnership with the village of Ubly, will landscape five-tenths of a mile of M-19 south of Ubly in Huron County. The landscaping will extend from Morrison Road to the south limits of the village. Ornamental trees, evergreen shrubs, bulbs and perennials will be planted to enhance and beautify the entrance into Ubly. The proposed budget is $58,000 including $36,400 in federal funds, $10,000 (17 percent) from the village of Ubly, and $11,600 (20 percent) from MDOT.
HURON
MDOT and Rubicon Township will increase the width of the shoulder on M-25/Lakeshore Road in Huron County. The project will be done in conjunction with MDOT's resurfacing of
M-25/Lakeshore Road and will widen the shoulder from five feet to eight feet from Industrial Parkway to Heinemann Road for a total of 6.4 miles. The widening of the shoulder will allow for safer bicycle and pedestrian travel. The budget for this project is $483,215, including $386,572 in federal funds and $96,643 from MDOT.
INGHAM
The Ingham County Road Commission, in partnership with Meridian Charter Township, will streetscape Okemos Road from Heritage Drive to Sower Boulevard. The project will provide a beautified gateway entrance from I-96 into Meridian Charter Township. Activities include a landscaped median with trees and shrubs, irrigation, and sidewalk improvements. The project budget is $802,450 with $561,715 in federal funds and $240,735 in matching funds from Meridian Charter Township.
ISABELLA
The village of Shepherd will streetscape two-tenths of a mile of Wright Street. The project is located from First Street to Third Street in the business district of the village. The streetscape construction will be coordinated with the 2005 reconstruction of Wright Street. The project elements will include ornamental stamped concrete sidewalks, concrete sidewalks, ornamental street lighting, shade trees, and new pedestrian ramps. The budget is $395,511 including $316,409 in federal funds and $79,102 from the village of Shepherd.
KALAMAZOO
MDOT and the village of Schoolcraft will streetscape Grand Avenue (US-131) from Cass Street to Holmes Street in the village of Schoolcraft located in Kalamazoo County. The project area is a major gateway into southwest Michigan and will present a positive first impression of the state. The streetscape elements include pedestrian bump-outs located at street corners; concrete and ornamental brick pavers sidewalks, ornamental street lighting, shade trees with ornamental iron grates, ornamental landscape planting pots and street furniture. This project will be coordinated with MDOT construction on US-131 during the 2005 construction season. The budget for the project is $713,948 including $571,158 in federal funding $71,395 (10 percent) from the village of Schoolcraft and $71,395 (10 percent) from MDOT.
MARQUETTE
MDOT and Forsyth Township will widen the shoulders from three feet to eight feet along M-35 from the crossing of the Middle Branch of the Escanaba River in Gwinn to the Marquette/Delta County Line. The increased shoulder width will provide a safer facility for bicyclists. The budget for this project is $397,600, including $318,080 in federal funds and $79,520 from MDOT.
MENOMINEE
The city of Menominee will develop approximately one-quarter mile of streetscape along Tenth Avenue between Fifth and Tenth streets in the city of Menominee in Menominee County. Tenth Avenue will be narrowed to provide additional pedestrian space behind the curbs, to which new brick and concrete sidewalks, shade trees and historic style lighting will be added. The budget is $153,290 including $121,100 in federal funds and $32,190 from the city of Menominee.
NEWAYGO
The city of White Cloud will streetscape eight-tenths of a mile of Charles Street (M-37) in the city of White Cloud located in Newaygo County. The proposed streetscape will extend along Charles Street from James Street to Pinehill Street and includes ornamental street lighting. This project will be done in conjunction with a previously approved Enhancement project located at the intersection of Charles Street and Wilcox Avenue, as well as other downtown improvements on Wilcox Street funded by the city of White Cloud and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The budget is $110,000 including $88,000 in federal funds and $22,000 from the city of White Cloud.
OCEANA
The village of New Era will streetscape three-tenths mile of First Street between Garfield and Ray streets in the downtown business district of the village of New Era in Oceana County. Project elements will include pedestrian bumpouts at intersections, ornamental concrete paver sidewalks, ornamental street lighting, street furniture and landscaping including shade trees and shrubs. The streetscape will beautify First Street and compliment the Hart-to-Montague bicycle trail as it passes through the village. The proposed budget is $257,400 including $154,440 in federal funds and $102,960 from the village of New Era.
OGEMAW
The city of West Branch and MDOT's Grayling Transportation Service Center (TSC) have teamed up to address a sidewalk gap along M-55, between Valley Street and Burr Street This location is in need of a retaining wall to provide room for the sidewalk. The retaining wall will vary around 1.5 feet in height and will allow for five feet of sidewalk directly behind the existing curb within the existing right of way (temporary grading permits could be required). The project will be professionally designed by MDOT's Grayling TSC design team. The proposed budget is $40,000, including $24,000 in federal funds, $8,000 (10 percent) from the city of West Branch, and $8,000 (10 percent) from MDOT.
OSCODA
MDOT and Oscoda County will construct streetscape elements along M-33 in the village of Mio. The half-mile project will extend from 14th Street north to M-72 and will be constructed in conjunction with the re-construction of M-33. The streetscape elements include ornamental street lighting, street trees, tree curbs, stamped pattern concrete sidewalks and concrete landscape retaining walls. The proposed budget is $642,000 including $481,500 in federal funds and $32,100 (five percent) from Oscoda County, and $128,400 (20 percent) from MDOT.
ROSCOMMON
MDOT will construct streetscape elements along M-18 in Denton Township located in Roscommon County. This one-half mile corridor is considered to be the gateway to the Houghton Lake Region. The streetscape elements proposed for construction within the corridor are ornamental lighting, landscaping, including evergreen shrubs, bulbs, perennials, ornamental grasses, and ornamental concrete sidewalks. The budget for this project is $176,465 including $141,172 in federal funds and $35,293 from MDOT.
SAGINAW
MDOT will purchase the Rail America abandoned Harger Line from Airport Road in Buena Vista Township to M-15 in Blumfield Township, village of Richville. Future plans are to convert this abandoned rail line into a non-motorized path that will connect to the non-motorized facility planned along M-15, from Bay City at M-25 to Clarkston at US-24, by the M-15 Heritage Route Committee. The Harger Line would then provide access from the eastern edge of the Saginaw metropolitan area to the M-15 route which will then open access to Bay City, Vassar, Millington, Otisville, Davison, Goodrich, Ortonville and Clarkston. The project budget is $249,991 and includes $199,993 in federal funds and $49,998 from MDOT.
TUSCOLA
MDOT and the village of Millington will streetscape 1.2 miles of M-15 between North Street and Bishop Street in the village of Millington in Tuscola County. M-15 is designated as a Michigan Heritage Route. The streetscape elements include expanded sidewalk areas with brick pavers, brick crosswalks and ADA-accessible pedestrian ramps, landscaped seating areas, and ornamental street lighting. The proposed budget is $383,000 including $210,650 in federal funds and $172,350 from the village of Millington.
WAYNE
The city of Detroit will streetscape one-half mile of Woodward Avenue (M-1) in the city of Detroit. This project is phase three and includes the area from Mack to the Fisher Freeway (I-75). Project activities include tree planting along street edges, new decorative lighting, sidewalk enhancements, and street amenities such as trash receptacles, bike racks and custom bus shelters. These enhancements will increase the enjoyment and safety for the thousands of people who live, work and visit this area. In addition, this project will reinforce the importance of Woodward Avenue and its designation as a Michigan Heritage Route and National Scenic Byway.
This project is also timed to coincide with over $250 million in investments being made in the area. These projects include condominium developments such as The Ellington, The Carlton and Woodward Place. The streetscape project budget is $2,303,829 including $1,843,064 in Federal Transportation Enhancement Funds, and $460,765 in match from the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and the Hudson Webber Foundation.
This project is spearheaded by the University Cultural Center Association and is part of a $12.5 million plan to enhance the entire midtown Detroit section of Woodward Avenue from I-94 to I-375.
WAYNE
The city of Detroit will develop an abandoned rail corridor formerly used by the Grand Trunk Western Railroad, referred to as the "Dequindre Cut," into a pedestrian/bicycle trail and greenway. The project will provide a non-motorized link from points inland to the splendor of the Detroit River. In addition, it will improve the neighborhood containing the 2004 awarded Cool Cities "Eastern Market Reinvestment Strategy" project. Project activities include site preparation, access ramps at Lafayette Boulevard (northbound access) and Gratiot Ave. (southbound access), stormwater and utility improvements, installation of security cameras, construction engineering, and design. The project budget is $1.8 including $1.5 in federal funds, and $380,000 in matching funds from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.
WEXFORD
The Village of Mesick will construct streetscape improvements along M-115 in the Village of Mesick located in Wexford County. This six tenths of a mile project extends from M-37 on the west end of the business district east to Clark Street. The project elements include bump outs at intersections, ornamental and plain concrete sidewalks, street trees with ornamental grates, ornamental street lights and street furniture. The proposed budget is $263,148 including $184,204 in federal funds and $78,944 from the Village of Mesick.
Team MDOT and You: Working together to move Michigan forward
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