March 9, 2006 - - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that more than $20 million in federal Transportation Enhancement funding will be awarded to 25 Michigan counties. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is awarding a total of $20,468,400 in Transportation Enhancement funding for 37 projects that will make downtowns and business districts more appealing, create new foot and bike paths, and improve roadside parks for the benefit of motorists and tourists. In addition, a statewide project will inventory Michigan's historical bridges to assist planning efforts by federal, state and local agencies in identifying those bridges that are worthy of preservation efforts.
"These projects will help grow Michigan's economy and help make our state a beautiful place to live and work," said Governor Granholm. "These projects create jobs, make communities more attractive to business investment, and enhance neighborhoods."
The 25 counties receiving funding include Alpena, Arenac, Calhoun, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, Genesee, Gladwin, Gratiot, Houghton, Ionia, Jackson, Kalkaska, Kent, Leelanau, Lenawee, Macomb, Newaygo, Oakland, Osceola, Saginaw, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Washtenaw and Wayne. Matching funds add $7,379,628, creating a total investment of $27,848,028 in quality of life benefits to these communities.
"Transportation Enhancement grants are a tool for communities to create environments that encourage economic growth and healthy living," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle.
Under federal law, 10 percent of federal surface transportation funds are earmarked for Transportation Enhancement projects. Administered by MDOT, the grants enable communities to invest in landscapes, streetscapes, and bike path development.
Transportation Enhancement funds provide a maximum of up to 80 percent of the money required for each project, with the remainder coming from state and local government and the private sector.
The following projects are listed by county:
Alpena
MDOT will partner with the city of the city of Alpena, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, Alpena Rotary, and Alpena Marc LLC, to construct the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail along the Thunder Bay River from the Second Avenue Bridge to Water Tower Park. The new heritage trail will provide access to historic dock sites and includes a nonmotorized pathway, a bridge over Thunder Bay River to Rotary's Historic Mill Island, dock restoration, lighting, landscaping, bike racks, and interpretive signs. The budget is $2,871,916, including $2,096,499 in federal funds, $555,417 from MDOT and $775,417 in total matching funds, including $200,000 from the city of Alpena and $20,000 from NOAA.
Arenac
MDOT, in cooperation with Arenac County, the Standish Train Depot Historic Preservation Committee, the Sunrise Side Coastal Heritage Route Management Committee, and the Arenac County Historical Society, will establish the Arenac County Welcome Center in a former depot located at the corner of US-23 and M-61 in Standish. Project includes depot rehabilitation, a new restroom building, a rail car display, and various improvements. Work along M-61 will be completed in conjunction with the MDOT road reconstruction project slated for 2006. The budget is $755,500, including $604,400 in federal funds, and $151,100 in matching funds from MDOT. Arenac County will contribute $377,120 in non-participating costs, bringing the total investment to $1,132,620.
Calhoun
MDOT, in partnership with the I-69 Recreation Heritage Route Management Team, will restore a prairie at the Tekonsha Truck Rest Area on northbound I-69 in Tekonsha Township. The project includes an inventory of existing flora and fauna, determining the removal of problem species, adding seed or seedlings, and developing other management activities over 3 years. The budget is $110,125, with $22,025 in matching funds from MDOT and $88,100 in federal funds.
Charlevoix
MDOT, in partnership with the city of East Jordan, will streetscape M-32 (Mill St.) from Spring St. to Second St. in the city of East Jordan, Charlevoix County. Amenities include decorative sidewalks and ornamental street lighting and will occur concurrently with a MDOT road project to reconstruct M-32. The total cost is $95,343, including $76,274 in federal funds and $19,069 from MDOT.
Cheboygan
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), in partnership with the Top of Michigan Trails Council, will construct a 61.3 mile, 10-foot-wide crushed stone trail from Gaylord to Mackinaw City along the former railroad grade, now owned by the MDNR, for year-round recreational and nonmotorized transportation use. This trail links the communities of Gaylord, Vanderbilt, Wolverine, Indian River, Topinabee, Mullett Lake Village, Cheboygan, and Mackinaw City. The budget is $1,853,781, including $1,483,025 in federal funds, and $370,756 from the MDNR and various funding partners.
Clare
MDOT, in partnership with the village of Farwell, will streetscape Main St. (US-10 BR) from Superior St. to Corning St., including stamped, colored concrete, benches, decorative lights, trees, tree grates, and trash receptacles. The budget is $177,190, including $141,752 in federal funds, and $35,438 in matching funds from MDOT.
Genesee
MDOT will construct gateway enhancements at the primary entrance to downtown Flint at the Saginaw exit on I-69. These enhancements will include ornamental lighting, raised planting beds, stamped concrete accents at corners, decorative mulch, ornamental fencing, and landscaping. The cost is $2,999,550, including $2,399,640 in federal funds, $524,921 from MDOT, and $74,989 from the city of Flint.
Genesee
MDOT, in partnership with Flint Township, will construct a 10-foot-wide asphalt nonmotorized path along M-21 (Corunna Rd.) from Dye Rd. to Maxwell St. in Flint Township. This project is a continuation of a path from Maxwell St. to I-75. Total cost is $270,500, including $216,400 in federal funds, and $54,100 in matching funds from Flint Township.
Gladwin
MDOT, in partnership with the village of Beaverton, will construct a nonmotorized path along M-18 from Pearson St. northerly to Burgess Rd. The project includes a concrete pathway, lighting, safety fence, and guardrail modifications. The budget is $123,152, including $98,522 in federal funds, and $24,630 in matching funds from MDOT.
Gratiot
MDOT, in partnership with the city of Ithaca, will streetscape five blocks of US-127 BR (State Rd.) from just south of Center St. to Barber St. in the city of Ithaca. This project will be paired with a road construction project in 2006. The budget is $177,200, including $141,760 in federal funds, and $35,440 from MDOT.
Gratiot
MDOT will partner with the village of Breckenridge to construct one-tenth of a mile of streetscape along M-46 in Breckenridge. The project will extend from 5th St. to 8th St. and include stamped pattern concrete sidewalks, planters, ornamental street lighting, and street furniture. The budget is $350,500, including $280,400 in federal funds, and $70,100 from MDOT.
Houghton
The city of Hancock will streetscape 0.5 miles of its downtown corridor along U.S. 41 (Quincy St.) from Portage Lift Bridge to Ravine St. in the city of Hancock. Improvements include decorative lighting, stamped-concrete crosswalks, trees, landscaping, ornamental fence, trash receptacles, and benches. The budget is $334,074, including $233,852 in federal funds and $100,222 from the city of Hancock.
Ionia
The village of Lake Odessa will reconstruct and streetscape six-tenths of a mile of Fourth Avenue through the Lake Odessa business district in Ionia County. The streetscape portion will include decorative pavers, lighting, benches, planters, and trees. The enhanced walkway will connect and go through the main village park to the sidewalk system along M-50. The goal is to create a walkway system to the Lake Odessa Fair Ground at the north edge of the village limits. This will be part of a larger project that will upgrade the street and replace the existing 1897 cast iron water main. The budget is $519,525, including $254,568 in federal funds, and $264,957 from the village of Lake Odessa.
Jackson
MDOT will partner with the village of Springport to create aesthetic improvements within the downtown section of M-99. Improvements include decorative street and pedestrian lighting, colored and textured concrete sidewalks and crosswalks, and shade trees with tree grates. The project will be implemented in 2006 in conjunction with an MDOT road project.
The budget is $422,053, including $308,099 in federal funds, $29,544 from the village of Springport, and $84,410 from MDOT.
Kalkaska
The village of Kalkaska will streetscape US-131/Cedar St. from Third St. south to the new pedestrian bridge over the north branch of the Boardman River, and from the bridge south to the Glen's Shopping Center along the recently completed pathway. The project consists of decorative walkways, street lighting, and landscaping. The budget is $402,945, including $322,356 in federal funds, and $80,589 from the village of Kalkaska.
Kent
The Burton Heights Business Association (BHBA) in Grand Rapids and the Division Avenue Business Association (DABA) in Wyoming, together with the city of Grand Rapids, city of Wyoming and Wyoming Downtown Development Authority are collaborating on a project at the north east corner of the Division Avenue and 28th St. (M-11) intersection. It involves landscaping, including trees, shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses, using native plants where possible. The budget is $58,327, including $11,665 in funds from the local partners and $46,662 in federal funds. Other components being funded privately include a bank of municipal flags which will be illuminated day and night, a decorative signature insignia, and a painting of the Norfolk Southern railroad trestles.
Kent
The city of Wyoming will install decorative pedestrian lighting on 28th St. from Clyde Park Avenue to the US-131 Interchange in the city of Wyoming, Kent County to complement the recent lighting, streetscape, and landscape work completed over the past several years. The budget is $100,000, including $80,000 in federal funds, and $20,000 from the city of Wyoming.
Leelanau
The Leelanau County Road Commission will construct 8.5 miles of 5-foot-wide shoulders on South Lake Leelanau Drive from Bingham Rd. to M-204 to provide a safety improvement for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. The budget is $330,000, including $165,000 in federal funds, $135,000 from Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and $30,000 from the Leelanau County Road Commission.
Lenawee
The Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) and the Michigan Historical Center will renovate the Hewitt House at the Walker Tavern Historic Site along the US-12 Historic Heritage Route in the Irish Hills. Renovation and adaptive improvements will ensure the building is preserved for historic purposes and accessible for American Disabilities Act requirements. Renovation of the interior will include upgrades to the restrooms and more display space for exhibits on the entire US-12 Heritage Route. HAL and the Michigan Historical Center will provide the match funds of $53,046, and MDOT will contribute $212,185 in federal funds for the $265,231 project.
Macomb
MDOT, in partnership with the Macomb County Road Commission, will construct a pedestrian bridge over M-53 at 32 Mile Rd. The bridge will be part of the Macomb Orchard Trail and will connect residents to parklands, downtowns, businesses, schools, residences, places of work, and open spaces. Regionally, it will provide a connection from St. Clair County to Oakland County. The total participating budget is $1,395,519, including $837,311 in federal funds, $279,104 from MDOT, and $279,104 from Macomb County.
Macomb
The Macomb County Road Commission will construct two pedestrian bridges over M-53 at 21 Mile Rd. and 22 Mile Rd. Construction will provide connectivity and linkages to Shelby Township parks, a regional bike trail system, and nearby subdivisions. The bridges, in conjunction with sidewalk projects slated for 2006, complete significant gaps in the pedestrian network and will improve pedestrian safety. The budget is $1,500,000, including $750,000 in federal funds, and $750,000 from Shelby Township.
Macomb
The city of Sterling Heights will landscape a two-mile segment of Schoenherr Rd. from 14 Mile Rd. to Metro Parkway, and a two-mile segment of Metropolitan Parkway from Dodge Park to Utica Rd. Trees will be planted along the right-of-way for the Schoenherr portion of the project, and in the median of the Metropolitan Parkway. The budget is $179,050, including $143,240 in federal funds, and $35,810 from the city of Sterling Heights.
Newaygo
The city of Fremont will create aesthetic improvements on Main St. (M-82) from Industrial Drive to Market Avenue. The project includes decorative lighting, trees, and benches. It will be constructed in conjunction with a 2006 MDOT road project that also includes a local water and sewer project. The budget is $290,612, including $145,306 federal funds, and $145,306 from the city of Fremont.
Oakland
The city of Pontiac will streetscape two-tenths of a mile of Saginaw St., from M-59 to Water St. to continue a project done on Saginaw St. last year from Lafayette to M-59. The proposed enhancement will replace deteriorated sidewalks with a new pedestrian pathway. The streetscape project is being coordinated with a previous grant for street lighting as well as a road resurfacing project by the city of Pontiac. The budget is $500,339, with $400,271 in federal funds, and $100,068 from the city of Pontiac.
Oakland/Wayne
MDOT will install decorative lighting on the Woodward Avenue (M-1) bridge over Eight Mile Rd. (M-102) as well as along the service drives. This project is being done in conjunction with road, bridge and safety projects which include decorative pedestrian crossings, new pedestrian signals and landscaping through the area. The proposed improvements have been coordinated at the state and local levels and with support from the State Historic Preservation Office. The two projects will improve pedestrian safety. The proposed budget is $1,700,000, including $1,360,000 in federal funds, $329,375 from MDOT and $10,625 from the city of Detroit.
Osceola
The city of Reed City will create a staging area near the crossroads of the White Pine Trail State Park and the Pere Marquette State Forest Trail on two acres of city-owned property. The proposed Crossroads Staging Area will provide bikers and pedestrians with a safe place to park motorized vehicles, facilities to eat, rest, and obtain water and with information about the trails and the community. Improvements include restrooms, parking, lighting, bike racks, picnic tables, landscaping, and other items. The budget is $294,886, including $221,165 in federal funds, and $73,721 from the city of Reed City.
Saginaw
The village of Birch Run, Saginaw County, will streetscape Main St. from Beyer Rd. west to Silver Creek Drive. This project is phase two and will continue the design of an existing streetscape including decorative lights, trees, stamped concrete, sidewalk, and site furnishings. Construction is expected during 2006 and will be paired with a road improvement project. The budget is $220,850, including $110,425 federal funds, and $110,425 from the village of Birch Run.
Saginaw
MDOT will convert the abandoned rail line, referred to as the Harger Line, into a nonmotorized path that will connect to the nonmotorized facility planned along M-15, from Bay City at M-25 to Clarkston at US-24. The project begins in Buena Vista Charter Township in Saginaw County and continues east into Blumfield and Denmark Townships in Tuscola County. The Harger Line will provide access from the eastern edge of the Saginaw metropolitan area to the M-15 Heritage Route. Project elements include nonmotorized path construction, bridge work, trail heads, and landscaping. The budget is $2,500,000, including $2,000,000 in federal funds, and $500,000 from MDOT.
Saginaw
MDOT, in partnership with Saginaw Charter and Kochville Townships, will streetscape Bay Rd. (M-84) from Schust Rd. to north of Trautner Drive in Saginaw County. The project includes decorative concrete, decorative pavers, trees, landscaping, decorative street lighting, benches, and other streetscape amenities. The budget is $743,400, including $401,436 in federal funds and $100,000 from Saginaw Charter Township, $100,000 from Kochville Township, and $141,964 from MDOT.
Saginaw
The city of Zilwaukee will construct Phases II, III and IV of the Zilwaukee Multi-Use Trail. The project limits are Bridgeview St. south to Venoy Rd. and Johnson St. The trail will link the Zilwaukee Riverfront Park, Community Park, a convenience store, the Bridgeview Business Center, as well as the westerly and northerly city limit to allow for future development. The budget is $456,075, including $364,860 in federal funds, and $91,215 from the city of Zilwaukee.
Shiawassee
The city of Durand will streetscape Main St. from Oak St. to Mercer St. Aesthetic improvements will enhance the downtown area and highlight the city's railroad history. Amenities include decorative brick pavers, sidewalk, decorative lighting, trees, landscaping, tree grates, decorative fence, benches, and trash receptacles. The project will be paired with a road project scheduled for 2006. The budget is $432,970, including $346,376 in federal funds, and $86,594 from the city of Durand.
Statewide
MDOT will update the 1995 Historic Bridge Inventory to account for bridges that have been altered, demolished or moved, and will reassess bridges that may have previously been considered ineligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and the historic bridge list. A second component of the project is to survey bridges constructed between 1956 and 1965, including bridges of national significance on the interstate system in Michigan. The project will provide a crucial tool for planning efforts by federal, state and local agencies. The budget is $350,070, including $280,056 in federal funds, and $70,014 in matching funds from MDOT.
Tuscola
The Tuscola County Road Commission will construct 5.3 miles of two-directional paved shoulders on Saginaw Rd. from Washburn Rd. to Lobdell Rd. as part of a larger plan to facilitate safe pedestrian and bicycle commutes between the communities of Mayville and Vassar. The project will be paired with a road construction project scheduled for 2006. The budget is $655,780, including $524,624 in federal funds, and $131,156 from the Tuscola County Road Commission.
Washtenaw
The city of Ann Arbor will construct a one-and-one-tenths mile shared use path between Glenwood St. and Tuomy St. which will link to the existing shared use paths along Washtenaw Avenue at each end of the project. This will eliminate a gap in the system that will extend from the Arborland Shopping Mall at US-23 to the University of Michigan's Central and Medical Campuses at East Huron St. and to downtown Ann Arbor. The budget is $550,000, including $357,500 in federal funds, and $192,500 from the city of Ann Arbor.
Wayne
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan's Greenways Initiative will construct a 1,500-feet long nonmotorized trail from Rivard Plaza to Atwater St. as part of the Tri-Centennial State Park and Harbor nonmotorized trail to continue the Detroit River Walk, a five-mile nonmotorized greenway route. Project activities include site preparation, construction of the 12-foot wide bituminous nonmotorized path, pedestrian lighting, security system, benches, trash receptacles, utility work, sod placement and tree planting. The budget is $868,575, including $581,945 in federal funds, and $286,630 from the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan.
Wayne
MDOT will streetscape one mile of Woodward Avenue (M-1) in the city of Detroit. This project is phase four and is split into two sections: the area bordered by Selden St. on the south and Warren Avenue on the north, and the area bordered by Ferry St. on the south and I-94 on the north. Enhancements include trees, new decorative lighting, sidewalk enhancements, and street amenities such as trash receptacles, bike racks and custom bus shelters. In addition, this project will reinforce the importance of Woodward Avenue and
its designation as a Michigan Heritage Route and National Scenic Byway. The budget is $2,408,890, including $1,927,112 in federal funds, $481,778 from the University Center Cultural Association.
Wayne
The Wayne County Department of Public Services, in partnership with the city of Detroit, the city of Dearborn, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan Greenways Initiative and the Southwest Detroit Business Association, will construct a 1.4-mile non-motorized trail connecting Patton Park in Detroit and Lapeer Park in Dearborn. The path will be a combination of ten-foot-wide asphalt trail and bike lanes on city streets to connect the two parks. Amenities include trees, lawn restoration, perennial plantings, benches and signage. The budget is $584,100, including $467,280 in federal funds, $50,000 from the city of Detroit, $50,000 from the city of Dearborn, and $16,820 from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan Greenways Initiative. The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan Greenways Initiative also contributed an additional $183,180 for design of the project.
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