April 12, 2010 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced today that the state is awarding $3,399,888 in federal Transportation Enhancement (TE) grants to fund projects that will benefit 19 communities in eight Michigan counties. The grants will allow communities to acquire 22 miles of abandoned rail corridors for future development as nonmotorized trails, construct 14 miles of paved shoulders and nonmotorized trails and install 2.5 miles of roadway streetscape.
"These grants help communities make improvements that increase their appeal to residents, businesses and tourists alike," said Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm. "Creating new trails and improving roadway aesthetics are investments in our communities that make them more attractive and enhance our quality of life."
Under federal law, 10 percent of federal surface transportation funds are set aside for TE projects. Administered by MDOT, the grants enable communities to invest in projects such as streetscapes and nonmotorized trails. TE funds provide a maximum of 80 percent of the money required for each project, with the remainder coming from state and local government and the private sector.
"These projects increase a community's quality of life," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "We are pleased to partner with local road commissions, townships and downtown development authorities to help make these improvements possible."
Following are the projects, listed by county:
Branch County
The city of Coldwater will be constructing streetscape elements along US-12 from Clay Street to US-27 Business Route (Division/Marshall streets) in its core downtown business district. These elements include constructing enhanced intersection curb walkways, shrubs, perennial flowers, street trees and tree grates. The project is designed to promote traffic calming and improve pedestrian safety by narrowing the distance for pedestrians to cross US-12 and is being paired with an MDOT Capital Preventive Maintenance project. The city also will be doing non-participating work such as curb and gutter repairs and paving parking lanes within the project limits. The project cost is $162,358, including $103,909 in federal TE funds and $58,449 in local match from the city of Coldwater Downtown Development Authority.
Clinton County
The Clinton County Road Commission will construct paved shoulders on the north and south sides of State Road for one-half mile to connect the existing paved shoulders to the west with the paved shoulders on Wood Road to the east in DeWitt Township. This project will benefit pedestrians and bicyclists and also provide them with safe access to Granger Meadows Park. The project will be paired with a road construction project in the area. The project cost is $42,000, including $33,600 in federal TE funds and $8,400 in match from the Clinton County Road Commission.
Ingham County (two projects)
The Ingham County Road Commission, in cooperation with Meridian Charter Township, will pave 1.1 miles of a 12-foot trail along the Old Interurban Railway from Okemos Road to Marsh Road in Haslett. This will connect to the first phase of the project, constructed in 2007, which connected Burcham Drive to Okemos Road. Once the trail is complete, users will be able to walk or bicycle from Marsh Road to Burcham Drive. The project cost is $344,868, including $224,164 in federal TE funds and $120,704 in match from Meridian Charter Township.
MDOT, in cooperation with Williamstown Township, will construct paved shoulders on the north and south sides of M-43 (Grand River Avenue) between Meridian Road and Zimmer Road in Williamstown Township. The paved shoulders will connect the existing sidewalk/path system in Meridian Township and the shoulders on Grand River Avenue, east of Zimmer Road, enhancing the regional trail network in Ingham County. The project is planned to provide the added benefit of safe access for pedestrians and bicyclists to the Williamstown Township Community Park. The project will be paired with a project to resurface M-43 and will include signs and pavement markings to increase the safety of bicyclists. The project cost is $450,000, including $292,500 in federal TE funds and $157,500 in match from Williamstown Township.
Kalamazoo County
MDOT, in partnership with the city of Kalamazoo, will make aesthetic improvements and upgrades to six intersections along US-31 Business Route (North Westnedge Avenue) and North Park Street, from Dunkley Street to Kalamazoo Avenue. This location is considered the northern gateway into Kalamazoo and is a Cool Cities-designated neighborhood. Improvements include enhanced Americans with Disabilities (ADA)-accessible curb ramps, decorative sidewalk and crosswalks, street trees, perennial plantings and ornamental lights. The project is part of a larger effort at revitalizing the neighborhood to provide a more welcoming and inviting atmosphere. The project cost is $643,829, including $440,906 in federal TE funding. The $202,924 in local match includes $90,000 from the city of Kalamazoo, $62,924 from MDOT, $25,000 from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and $25,000 from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation's Community Redevelopment Fund.
Kent County
The Kent County Road Commission plans to streetscape 84th Street, the main street of Bryon Center's central business district, from Woodhaven Drive to Byron Center Avenue in Byron Center Township. In 2006, 84th Street underwent a resurfacing and "road diet" to reduce the number of through-lanes from four to two with a center-turn lane. This configuration now provides an opportunity for on-street parallel parking with improved pedestrian access and safety. Stamped concrete intersections and crosswalks will be used to clearly define pedestrian areas. Decorative post-top streetlights will improve pedestrian visibility and act as a defining element at the township center. Bicycle racks, trash receptacles, park benches, and decorative tree vault planters will be added to enhance and beautify pedestrian areas. The project cost is $489,896, including $289,896 in federal TE funds and $200,000 in matching funds from Byron Center Township.
Kent, Ionia, and Montcalm counties (one project)
The city of Belding and the Friends of the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail will acquire 16 miles of the abandoned Mid-Michigan Railroad corridor from north of Lowell to Greenville, making it the fifth-largest rail trail in the nation. The newly acquired section will connect to the region's existing 40-mile Fred Meijer Heartland Trail, the 42-mile Fred Meijer Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail system, and the Mid-Michigan Railroad Line that travels 15 miles from Ionia to Lowell. The result will be a combined 120-mile rail-to-trail system that traverses six counties. The project cost is $1,111,500, including $650,000 in federal TE funds and $461,500 in match from the West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition.
Montcalm County
The Montcalm County Road Commission will construct the seventh phase of the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail from the village of Edmore to the east Montcalm County line near Riverdale, linking previously constructed portions of the trail at both ends. To date, nearly 40 miles of the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail have been constructed. The trail benefits Montcalm County residents, as well as residents of the surrounding communities of Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Mt. Pleasant. When complete, the trail will link Greenville and Alma, running 50 miles through naturally beautiful state game areas and the diverse agricultural production base of central Michigan. The project will pave the trail, rehabilitate the bridge and add permanent signs. The project cost is $1,722,775, including $721,843 in federal TE funds. The Friends of the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail, with the support of the Meijer Foundation, is contributing $400,932 in matching funds, and the West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition is contributing $600,000 in match.
Ottawa County
The city of Grand Haven will streetscape Washington Avenue from Harbor Drive to Third Street. This project will improve aesthetics and pedestrian safety by featuring decorative brick paver accents in the sidewalk and crosswalks and offering better separation between street and sidewalk surfaces. Historic street lighting, attractive refurbished benches and new litter receptacles will complement the planting of trees and perennials, and replicated stone wall planters will frame the intersections to complete the overall design. Construction is planned for the 2010 and 2011 construction seasons and will be coordinated with roadway and utility reconstruction. The project cost is $973,952, including $633,069 in federal TE funds and $340,883 from the city.
MDOT says: Construction work zones need your undivided attention.
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