October 19, 2005 - - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the awarding of more than $5 million in federal Transportation Enhancement funding to 11 Michigan counties. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is awarding a total of $5,212,574 in Transportation Enhancement funding for 14 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 be directed at developing resources to help preserve sand dune environments that could be affected by transportation projects.
"Transportation Enhancement projects contribute to growing Michigan's economy," said Governor Granholm. "These projects create jobs for design and construction firms, make communities more attractive to business investment, and enhance safety and livability in Michigan neighborhoods."
The 11 counties receiving federal Transportation Enhancement funding include Ingham, Iosco, Isabella, Jackson, Keweenaw, Leelanau, Sanilac, St. Joseph, Tuscola, Wayne, and Wexford. Matching funds add $2,180,056, creating a total investment of $7,392,630 in transportation system quality of life benefits to these communities.
"Transportation Enhancement grants enable us to work with communities to secure Michigan's future by creating environments that help promote economic growth and protect families," said State Transportation Director Gloria J. Jeff.
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 and trail 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:
Ingham
MDOT will partner with the city of Lansing to streetscape six-tenths of a mile of the Capitol Loop on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from St. Joseph Street to Ottawa Street. Streetscape amenities will include landscaping, trees, decorative lighting, brick sidewalk ramps, and pedestrian kiosks. The budget is $1,168,200, including $911,196 in federal funds, $228,451 from MDOT and $28,553 from the city.
Iosco
MDOT will construct an ADA-accessible boardwalk and viewing deck with benches, steps down to the beach, and two ramps from the parking area to the boardwalk area, at the Oscoda Roadside Park along US-23 in Oscoda Township. This project will allow all individuals to experience the beauty of the Lake Huron shoreline. In addition, it will help to reduce the erosion of the beach environment. The project budget is $312,059, including $249,647 federal funds and $62,412 from MDOT.
Isabella
MDOT will provide aesthetic treatments as part of the US-127 bridge replacement project over US-10 Business Route and the existing Pere Marquette Rail-Trail in Vernon Township. As part of the bridge replacement project, a tunnel will be constructed for the trail. This project will enhance the look of the new tunnel with trees and lighting, and by extending the path approximately 700 feet west to Industrial Drive. The proposed budget is $97,900, including $78,320 in federal funds and $19,580 from MDOT.
Isabella
MDOT, in partnership with the city of Midland, will landscape US-10 at key focal points along the corridor to maximize impact at this Midland Gateway. This project will be completed in conjunction with an MDOT road project to provide an improved entry and enhance visual appeal. This project is the completion of a 10-year effort and partnerships with the city, community foundations, and MDOT. In addition, this project will construct 1.8 miles of 10-foot-wide nonmotorized trail called the Grand Curve Trailway Extension within the US-10 corridor. The trail will extend the Grand Curve trail that ends at Washington Avenue and continue to the east along East Patrick Road, providing linkages to the north-east residential neighborhoods and parks. It will complete a region loop that includes the Pere Marquette Rail Trail and over six miles of privately funded trail from downtown Midland to the Chippewa Nature Centre that is currently being completed. This aesthetics and nonmotorized project will be constructed in conjunction with a road construction project scheduled for 2006. The proposed budget is $1,201,306 including $546,797 in federal funds, $654,509 in matching funds from the city ($500,000) and MDOT ($154,509).
Jackson
The Village of Brooklyn will streetscape three-tenths of a mile of North Main Street (M-50), from Chicago Street to Riverside Drive. This project is the third and final phase of the village's current plan for community enhancement and beautification. Major streetscape elements include ornamental street lighting, shade trees, shrubs and perennials, ornamental fencing, concrete paver sidewalks, precast concrete planters and benches. The budget is $335,000, including $268,000 in federal funds and $67,000 from the village.
Keweenaw
MDOT and the Keweenaw County Road Commission will improve four roadside parks, Snowgauge, Esery, Hebbard and Eagle River, along M-26 and M-41. Activities include new embankment, topsoil, seeding, mulch, water wells and pumps, design, and construction engineering. These improvements will enhance the aesthetic quality of the parks and will also help to better serve the motoring public. The total project cost is $70,163, including $56,130 in federal enhancement funds and $14,033 in matching funds from MDOT.
Leelanau
MDOT and the Village of Empire will construct streetscape and water quality improvements along a highly traveled Scenic Heritage Route, M-22, from Michigan Street north to 200 feet north of Phillip Street. The project establishes tree-lined greenbelts and sidewalks along M-22 along the Scenic Heritage Route Corridor. These improvements also will make M-22 safer for motorists and pedestrians and improve water quality by incorporating an underground infiltration system of catch basins, piping and infiltration chambers. The project budget is $642,797, including $514,238 in federal funds, $75,053 from MDOT, and $53,506 from the village.
Sanilac
MDOT and Brown City will streetscape one tenth of a mile of Main Street (M-90) from St. Mary's Street to James Street. Streetscape elements include stamped, colored concrete sidewalks, ornamental street lighting, street furniture, and shade trees. The project budget is $307,285, including $184,371 (60 percent) in federal funds, $61,457 (20 percent) from MDOT, and $61,457 (20%) from the city. This project will be coordinated with an MDOT road project during the 2006 construction season.
St. Joseph
MDOT, in partnership with the city of Sturgis, will improve the attractiveness and pedestrian appeal of US-12 (Chicago Road) from Jefferson Street to Monroe Street in downtown Sturgis. Project elements include sidewalk reconstruction to meet ADA accessibility standards, brick pavers, trees, landscaping, benches, and trash receptacles. The project will be paired with a MDOT road project scheduled for 2006. The total project cost is $576,410 including $345,846 (60 percent) in federal funds, $115,282 (20 percent) from MDOT, and $115,282 (20 percent) from the city.
36 counties statewide
MDOT will embark upon a study to extend the buried site potential GIS mapping completed by Monaghan and Lovis (2005) for southern Michigan, funded by a previous enhancement grant, and new research focused on sites within dune contexts. Additionally, as a public education and outreach initiative, this research will be published in two formats which are each directed at differing audiences, including a scientific publication in the MDOT Environmental Research Series distributed nationally and an eight-page booklet for the general public. The total project is $288,471, with $230,777 in federal enhancement funds and $57,694 from MDOT.
Tuscola
MDOT and the Village of Kingston will streetscape State Street (M-46) from River Street to Pine Street in conjunction with a 2006 MDOT road project. The project includes removing the high steps along the sidewalk on the north side of M-46 and replacing the sidewalk with a wider, flatter sidewalk, including decorative sidewalk planters. Other streetscape amenities include decorative street lighting, trash receptacles, and landscaping. The project budget is $406,690, including $244,014 in federal funds (60 percent), $81,338 (20 percent) from the village, and $81,338 (20 percent) from MDOT.
Wayne
The Detroit Transportation Corporation will provide improvements to its People Mover system through two separate projects. The first project will reconfigure and reconstruct the People Mover station at the historic David Whitney Building. This project will create an independent entrance and include a three-stop elevator to the platform level, new escalators to the platform level, and a stairway. The redesign will provide unfettered access to the station and make it ADA compliant. The second project will add system lighting treatments. This project was identified in an earlier Transportation Enhancement Study and will enhance the aesthetic appeal of the People Mover. The proposed budget is $1,740,000, including $1,392,000 in federal funds and $348,000 in matching funds from the Detroit Transportation Corporation.
Wexford
MDOT will landscape one and a half miles of US-131 BR from US-131 South Interchange to South Street in Clam Lake Township. The landscaping consists of shade, evergreen and ornamental flowering trees, shrubs, perennials and wildflowers, and will enhance and beautify the southern gateway into the city of Cadillac. The proposed budget is $132,000, including $105,600 in federal funds and $26,400 from MDOT.
Wexford
MDOT will construct 4700 square feet of boardwalk from the new roadside park along US-131 in Wexford County to the Manistee River. At the river's edge, a viewing/sitting deck will be added with a separate canoe/kayak launch. Along the length of the boardwalk, there will be two turn-out platforms to take advantage of the scenic views along the river and to provide rest areas for boaters portaging their canoes or kayaks. The new boardwalk will establish a safer means to launch canoes and kayaks. The proposed budget is $141,914, including $113,531 in federal funds and $28,383 from MDOT.
MDOT: Celebrating 100 years of transportation innovation, 1905-2005
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