May 10, 2006 - - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that more than $3.7 million in federal Transportation Enhancement funding will be awarded to eight Michigan counties. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is awarding a total of $3,717,904 in Transportation Enhancement funding for eight projects that will increase the use and visual appeal of streets, trails, and highway interchanges. All of the projects will break ground this construction season.
"These projects mean two things: jobs and more attractive communities," said Governor Granholm. "From creating bicycle lanes in Berrien County to dressing up the gateway entrance to Midland, to maintaining public access to Grand Traverse Bay -- they're all projects that will make Michigan a better place to live in and visit."
One of the projects involves the construction of a gateway landscaping and nonmotorized trail that will connect east Midland to the downtown area and a new minor league baseball park currently under construction.
"We are proud of our ongoing partnership with MDOT. The value of this grant will be many times greater than the original investment. The project will favorably impact the community as well as the region overall," said Denise Spencer, president and CEO of the Midland Area Community Foundation.
The eight counties receiving funding are: Bay, Berrien, Ingham, Isabella, Kalkaska, Kent, Leelanau and Midland. Matching funds add $1,666,334, creating a total investment of $5,384,238 in quality of life benefits to these communities.
"Transportation Enhancement grants provide communities with the opportunity to add
nonmotorized transportation and other improvements that make a real difference to economic
vitality and daily life," 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 projects such as 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 governments, and the private sector.
The following projects are listed by county:
Bay
MDOT will partner with the city of Midland to landscape the US-10/Bay City Road interchange in Midland. This interchange is the east gateway to the city. The project includes the planting of shade, evergreen and ornamental trees, shrubs, perennials, wildflowers and meadow grasses in the four quadrants of the interchange. The project budget is $446,000, including $356,800 in federal funds and $89,200 from the city of Midland.
Berrien
The Berrien County Road Commission will install 3.4 miles of 6-foot-wide asphalt paved shoulders to create bike lanes along the Red Arrow Highway in Coloma and Watervliet townships between the city of Coloma and County Line Road at the Berrien/Van Buren county line. This project will connect the existing pedestrian and nonmotorized facilities in the cities of Coloma and Watervliet. The project budget is $351,600, including $140,640 in federal funds and $210,960 in matching funds: Berrien County Road Commission ($105,480), Watervliet ($78,090), and Coloma Township ($27,390).
Ingham
The city of Lansing will install streetscape and rain garden elements to beautify Michigan Avenue from Capitol Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue. The project will consist of decorative clay sidewalk pavers and improvements to allow rain gardens, which will be utilized to capture storm water runoff. At specific intersections, there will be crosswalk improvements, and throughout the corridor there will be amenities such as pedestrian and interpretive signs. Lansing has received a "Cool Cities" designation from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth. The total project cost is $2,165,651, including $1,732,521 in federal funds and $433,130 from the city of Lansing. Construction will be done along with the combined sewer overflow separation project.
Isabella
The village of Shepherd will construct 2 miles of a nonmotorized path and concrete sidewalk that will connect the downtown business district, various neighborhoods, multi-family housing developments, the school campus and athletic facilities with a township park. The path will be
constructed along Federal Road from Wright Avenue to Pleasant Valley Road and along Chippewa Road/Shepherd Road from North Drive to Pleasant Valley Road. The project budget is $266,300, including $213,040 in federal funds and $53,260 in matching funds from the village of Shepherd.
Kalkaska
The village of Kalkaska, in partnership with the Kalkaska Conservation District, will construct 2.3 miles of nonmotorized path around the Kalkaska County Governmental Complex and Kalkaska Public Schools property. The proposed project eventually will connect to the TART trail to the west and the White Pine Trail to the south. The project budget is $287,437, including $215,578 (75 percent) in federal funds and $71,859 (25 percent) in matching funds from the village of Kalkaska and various project partners.
Kent
The Kent County Road Commission, in partnership with Gaines Charter Township, Byron Township and the Cutlerville Chamber of Commerce, will install streetscape amenities along a 2-mile stretch of Division Avenue between 60th Street and 76th Street in Cutlerville. Streetscape improvements will include curbside decorative brick pavers and street lights, benches, litter receptacles, planters and trees. The enhancements will make Division Avenue a more inviting, visually pleasing, and pedestrian-accessible corridor. The project budget is $595,950, including $297,975 in federal funds, $136,487.50 from Gaines Charter Township, $136,487.50 from Byron Township, and $25,000 from the Cutlerville Chamber of Commerce. Those same funding partners are also contributing a total of $106,340 for non-participating items, including banners and administrative costs.
Leelanau
MDOT will acquire scenic property (2 parcels) along the M-22 Leelanau Scenic Heritage Route in Suttons Bay Township. The property is located on Grand Traverse Bay/Lake Michigan on each side of M-22 and is adjacent to a proposed township park. This acquisition will maintain the view of Grand Traverse Bay for the traveling public, allow future road improvements to enhance this view, allow for the re-establishment of the 45th Parallel Roadside Park, and maintain public access to Grand Traverse Bay. The project budget is $419,000, including $335,200 federal funds, and $83,800 from MDOT.
Midland
In partnership with the city of Midland, MDOT will construct a nonmotorized path and install decorative lighting and landscaping to improve the BR-10 gateway into the city. The pathway will connect existing trail systems and link more than 37 miles of nonmotorized facilities while connecting east Midland to the downtown area and enhancing the area that will surround a new minor league baseball park. The project budget is $852,300, including $426,150 in federal funds, $170,460 from MDOT, and $255,690 from the city of Midland.
Protect Michigan families: Where Workers Present Drive 45!
- A message from MDOT and Michigan's Give 'em a Brake Safety Coalition
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