January 10, 2008 - - State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle today announced that the state is awarding $8,756,651 in federal Transportation Enhancement funding to 19 communities in 15 counties. The Transportation Enhancement (TE) grants will be used to develop 24.7 miles of nonmotorized trails and 4.7 miles of streetscape improvements such as decorative sidewalk, landscaping, pedestrian amenities and decorative lighting. All of these projects will break ground during the 2008 construction season. Matching funds add $2,827,236, creating a total investment of $11,583,887.
"Michigan's trails are gateways to recreation and tourism opportunities that grow our economy by attracting residents and visitors alike," said Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm. "Not only do they provide transportation and recreation options, but they make many areas of our state more livable and desirable places to do business."
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 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 add to the quality of life in local communities by making more trails and streetscape improvements possible," said Steudle. "Transportation enhancement grants help to make good communities better places to live and more attractive to families and businesses."
Following are the projects, listed by county:
Alpena County
MDOT will pave a nonmotorized path along US-23 that will move a portion of an existing path and extend it to link to a local neighborhood and school. The project budget is $84,000, with $47,208 in TE funds, $16,792 in matching funds from MDOT and $20,000 in matching funds from the city of Alpena. MDOT expects to begin construction in 2008 in conjunction with a road project.
Barry County
The village of Middleville will streetscape its two-block downtown business district along Main Street, the major east/west street and connects the downtown to M-37. Once completed, the project will provide an entrance to the community from M-37 that enhances the downtown business district. The streetscape project includes decorative sidewalks and pavers, trees, perennial beds and street lighting. The project budget is $540,363, with $405,272 in TE funds and $135,091 in matching funds from the village of Middleville.
Emmet County
The city of Petoskey will construct 1.6 miles of nonmotorized trail along the resort bluffs from East Park (Quarry Drive) to Magnus Park (West Lake Street). The construction of this segment, which parallels US-31, will complete the missing link in the Harbor Springs to Charlevoix nonmotorized trail. This particular segment is a critical link in a regional trail system with incredible views of Little Traverse Bay. The project budget is $1,310,345, including $1,022,069 in TE funds and $288,376 in matching funds from the city of Petoskey.
Genesee County
The city of Flint will streetscape 1.5 miles of Third Avenue, from Saginaw Street on the east to the Flint River on the west. Third Avenue connects Kettering University and the Mott Park neighborhood on the west with the Carriage Town Historic Neighborhood, the University of Michigan-Flint, and downtown Flint on the east. Flint Children's Museum, Durant Tuuri Mott Elementary School, the historic Atwood Stadium, and several residences and businesses are located on Third Avenue. The project will include low-level landscaping in the median, rain gardens, decorative pedestrian lighting, benches, trash receptacles, and bike racks. The project budget is $1,043,219, including $730,254 in TE funds and $312,965 in matching funds from local foundations.
Gratiot County
The Gratiot County Road Commission will partner with the city of Alma, Pine River Township, Seville Township, the Friends of the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail, and the West Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance on a project to construct 9.5 miles of nonmotorized trail from the west county line near Riverdale through Elwell to Alma. The project will surface another piece of the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail, which, when complete, will link the cities of Alma and Greenville and will run nearly 50 miles in length through naturally beautiful state game areas and a diverse agricultural production base in central Michigan. It will also link the Fred Meijer Flat River Trail (approximately 7.5 miles in length), which loops around the city of Greenville to Alma's Riverwalk Trail. The project budget is $2,648,000 including $2,118,400 in TE funds, and $529,600 in matching funds: $150,000 from the city of Alma, $75,000 from Seville Township, $33,500 from Pine River Township, $171,100 from the Fred Meijer Foundation, and $100,000 from the West Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance.
Hillsdale County
MDOT will partner with the city of Litchfield to beautify the intersection of two major highways, M-99 and M-49, and a third important thoroughfare, St. Joseph Street. The project encompasses the town square, which is an important historical and cultural asset. The project will include decorative sidewalks, historically compatible lighting, landscaping, and benches. The project budget is $423,747, including $218,160 in TE funds and $205,602 in matching funds ($150,212 from the city of Litchfield, and $55,375 from MDOT). Construction will occur in 2008, in conjunction with roadwork on M-49 between US-12 and M-99, and rehabilitation of the M-49 bridge over the St. Joseph River.
Kent County
The city of Grand Rapids will streetscape Wealthy Street from Union Avenue to Eastern Avenue. This project is the fourth phase of the larger reconstruction of Wealthy Street from Union Avenue to Fuller Avenue. Work includes ornamental street lighting, trees, brick pavers between the sidewalk and curb, and perennial beds. The project budget is $549,621, including $329,773 in TE funds and $219,848 in matching funds from the city of Grand Rapids.
Leelanau County
MDOT and the village of Empire will construct streetscape and water quality improvements along M-22, a highly traveled designated Scenic Heritage Route, from Michigan Street to 200 feet north of Phillip Street, Leelanau County. The project establishes tree-lined greenbelts and sidewalks along M-22 to provide safer conditions for motorists and pedestrians, while enhancing the beauty of M-22 along the Scenic Heritage Route Corridor. In addition, this project will improve water quality by incorporating the installation of an underground infiltration system of catch basins, piping and infiltration chambers. The project budget is $642,797, including $514,238 in TE funds, and $75,053 from MDOT, and $53,506 from the village of Empire.
Lenawee County
The village of Deerfield will streetscape Carey Street between River and Railroad streets. The project will improve the appearance of the downtown area by planting trees, incorporating decorative street lighting, street furniture, and brick pavers at intersections to emphasize the crosswalks and facilitate safe street crossing. Additional improvements will include a section of East River Street immediately north of the bridge, to improve the entrance to Deerfield from the south. The project budget is $302,008, including $241,606 in TE funds and $60,402 in matching funds from the village of Deerfield.
Marquette County
MDOT, in partnership with Champion Township, will construct a paved nonmotorized path along US-41/M-28 from Van Riper State Park to the village of Champion. This project will promote nonmotorized transportation as a safe alternative to motorized travel. In addition to shifting nonmotorized traffic from a busy trunkline, this path will be a vital link to the Iron Ore Heritage Trail project, which, when completed, will connect the cities of Marquette, Negaunee, and Ishpeming with other historic mining towns in western Marquette County. The total project cost is $534,107, with $427,285 in TE funds and $98,786 from MDOT, $5,000 from Champion Township and $3,035 in private donations.
Oakland County
The city of Pontiac will construct 1.2 miles of nonmotorized trail as Phase Two of the city's portion of the Clinton River Linear Park Trail. Phase Two will enhance bicyclist and pedestrian safety along this route and will be another link in the Clinton River Linear Park Trail that will eventually extend from the city of South Lyon to the city of Rochester. This project will include a shared bicycle and pedestrian path along the east side of Bagley Street, between the existing Clinton River Linear Park Trail and Orchard Lake Road; then along the south side of Orchard Lake Road between Bagley and West Woodward Avenue; then along the east side of West Woodward Avenue between Orchard Lake Road and Judson Street; and finally along the west side of East Woodward Avenue between Judson Street and M-59. The project budget is $375,720, including $300,576 in TE funds and $75,144 in matching funds from the city of Pontiac.
Oakland County
The city of South Lyon will construct a nonmotorized path from Volunteer Park south to Eight Mile Road, east on Eight Mile road to Pontiac Trail and then south on Pontiac Trail to the Salem-South Lyon District Library. The project is an extension of the Huron Valley Trail and is contained in the nonmotorized Master Plan for Oakland County. This extension will connect the rail trail to the southern boundary of the city and provide a link to Salem Township in Washtenaw County. The project budget is $354,969, with $230,730 in TE funds and matching funds of $124,239 from the city of South Lyon.
Presque Isle County
MDOT, in partnership with Rogers Township, will construct 2.2 miles of nommotorized path, referred to as the Forty Mile Point Lighthouse Nonmotorized Path in Presque Isle County. The project will construct a 10-foot wide path along US-23 from Hoeft State Park to Presque Isle County's Forty Mile Point Lighthouse Park. The project budget is $542,200, including $433,760 in TE funds, and $108,440 in matching funds from MDOT.
Shiawassee County
The city of Owosso will construct a shared-use path that will connect to the James Miner River Walkway that connects the cities of Owosso and Corunna. The existing trail begins at Curwood Castle Park in downtown Owosso and proceeds 3.5 miles to Corunna. The project also involves the restoration of the Oakwood Avenue Bridge. This wrought iron, overhead truss bridge, constructed in 1876, will undergo extensive reconstruction and painting. It is a popular pedestrian crossing. The project budget is $761,441, including $571,081 in TE funds and $190,360 in matching funds from the city of Owosso.
Tuscola County
The city of Vassar will construct a nonmotorized trail along M-15, a state designated Heritage Route, starting at the southern city limits and extending northward to the terminus of Vassar's existing trail system. The project includes signage and lighting. The project budget is $135,505, including $97,564 in TE funds and $37,941 in matching funds from the city of Vassar.
Wayne County
The city of Detroit will streetscape cross-streets in the lower Woodward area of downtown Detroit. This project will complement other enhancements to major downtown Detroit streets in recent years by improving the secondary streets that physically connect the newly upgraded streets. The streets to be improved are Park Street, from Woodward to Adams Streets; Witherell, from Woodward to Adams; Adams, from Park to Witherell, Grand River Avenue, from Washington Boulevard to Broadway Avenue; and Clifford/John R., from Washington Boulevard to Broadway Avenue. Improvements will include bicycle racks, scored and decorative sidewalk paving, ornamental street lighting and upgrading existing sidewalks to accommodate pedestrian traffic. This project will improve the area, making it attractive and safer for pedestrians, and add to the city of Detroit's efforts to make all public areas in lower Woodward more inviting. The project budget is $1,091,266, with $873,013 in TE funds and $218,253 in matching funds from the city of Detroit.
Wayne County
MDOT, in partnership with the city of Rockwood, will landscape the I-75 interchange at Rockwood in conjunction with a freeway reconstruction project. The project includes trees, shrubs, flower beds and fencing. The project budget is $244,580, including $195,664 in federal funds and $48,916 in matching funds, including $28,916 from MDOT and $20,000 from the city of Rockwood.
Ice and Snow, Take It Slow Remember: Don't Crowd the Plow!
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