March 10, 2008 - - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced today that the state is awarding $3,811,018 in federal Transportation Enhancement funding for 11 projects in eight counties. Matching funds add $1,957,081, creating a total investment of $5,768,099. The Transportation Enhancement (TE) grants will be used to develop non-motorized trails, pave roadway shoulders, plant trees, make streetscape improvements such as decorative sidewalks, pedestrian amenities and decorative lighting, and purchase bus bike racks to improve mobility options in the state. All projects will take place during the 2008 construction season.
"These investments will enhance recreation and transportation opportunities in Michigan communities and downtowns - helping make our state a great place to live and work for all of us," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm.
> 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 non-motorized 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 will improve trails, put bike racks on city buses, and beautify local communities," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "Transportation Enhancement grants help fund projects that improve the quality of life in Michigan and make our state a more attractive place to live and do business."
Following are the projects, listed by county:
Arenac County
MDOT will install a mixture of native plants over a six-acre area at the Alger Rest Area located off I-75. Native plants increase water quality in the adjacent Wells Creek and associated tributaries by filtering water through larger root systems than those contained in normal turf grass. The total project budget is $132,500, with $106,000 in federal TE funds, and $26,500 in matching funds from MDOT.
Genesee County
The Flint Mass Transportation Authority (FMTA) will purchase and install 50 bike racks on its fleet of buses. By providing accommodations for bicycles, FMTA will provide a link for residents to a network of non-motorized pathways, as well as enhance regional tourism. The total project budget is $61,650, with $49,320 in federal TE funds and $12,330 in matching funds from FMTA.
> The city of Flint will construct 1.3 miles of a 10-foot-wide non-motorized path along Horrigan Drive through the Mott Community College (MCC) campus from Longway Boulevard to East Court Street. This path will provide a connection to Kearsely Park and the Flint River Trail for residents south of Court Street. The path also will serve as a primary non-motorized facility for students on the MCC campus. The path is being coordinated with a $2 million environmental project that will block a culvert in the adjacent Gilkey Creek and direct the creek to a new channel in order to restore 2,500 feet of stream bank. The total project budget is $509,637, with $364,696 in federal TE funds, $94,941 from the Ruth Mott Foundation, and $50,000 from Mott Community College.
Luce County
MDOT will pave an additional two feet of shoulder along the north and south sides of M-28 between M-123, near Newberry, to just east of County Road 393 (Borgstrom Road), a distance of approximately 6.8 miles. This will create a five-foot shoulder for non-motorized use. This additional shoulder paving will be done in conjunction with a road resurfacing project in 2008. The total project budget is $148,058, with $118,446 in federal TE funds, and $29,612 in matching funds from MDOT.
Macomb County
The city of St. Clair Shores will streetscape portions of Harper Avenue through the length of the city, from Eight Mile Road to Fourteen Mile Road. The project will include benches, decorative paved crosswalks, new trees and perennials, and two gateways into the city - one at each end of the city limits. Each of these enhancements is designed to help create an environment that will encourage residents in the Harper Avenue vicinity to walk or ride bicycles to the many shops and offices along the corridor. The total project budget is $322,985, including $226,090 in federal TE funds, and $96,895 in local matching funds from the city of St. Clair Shores.
Marquette County
The city of Negaunee will construct 2 miles of non-motorized path, connecting the cities of Negaunee and Ishpeming. This path is part of the planned Iron Ore Heritage Area Trail, which will provide access to the area's natural heritage and resources. This trail is intended to connect with the existing and proposed trails to the east in Marquette Township, Marquette, and Chocolay Township, and extend westerly to Republic. The total project budget is $500,120, including $400,120 in federal TE funds, and $100,000 in local matching funds from the city of Negaunee.
The Marquette Area Transit Authority (MARQTRAN) in Marquette County will purchase and install 30 bike racks on its fleet of buses. By providing accommodations for bicycles, MARQTRAN will provide a link for a nationally recognized network of urban and rural non-motorized pathways as well as promote regional tourism. The total project budget is $65,000, with $52,000 in federal funds, and local matching funds of $13,000 from MARQTRAN.
Menominee County
The city of Stephenson will streetscape its downtown along Railroad and Menominee streets between Robert Street and Division Street. Improvements will include street lighting, sidewalk replacement, construction of a decorative concrete terrace between the street parking and sidewalk, and installation of new trees, grates, and benches. This project will become a focal point for the city of Stephenson, with maximum visibility for all motorists and pedestrians passing through the central business district from US-41. The total project budget is $325,275, with $260,220 in federal TE funds, and local matching funds of $65,055 from the city of Stephenson.
Washtenaw County
The Washtenaw County Road Commission, in partnership with Scio Township, will landscape the median on Jackson Road from Honey Creek to Dino Drive, using deciduous shade trees and ornamental trees. This project is a major component in creating a more pleasant driving experience on Jackson Road, the commercial backbone of Scio Township. The total project budget is $279,648, with $167,789 in federal TE funds, and $111,859 in local matching funds from Scio Township.
Wayne County
The city of Detroit, in cooperation with the University Cultural Center Association and the Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan, will construct a non-motorized path in the University Cultural Center area of midtown Detroit. This project is Phase One of a four-phase project that will create a Midtown Loop. The Midtown Loop will be a 2 mile urban greenway connecting existing campuses and institutions, including Wayne State University and the Detroit Medical Center, to greenway initiatives in surrounding areas. This will provide a key component of a larger greenway network linking New Center to downtown and the Detroit River. The main loop will follow existing urban street patterns along Kirby Street, John R Street, Canfield Street, and Cass Avenue. Phase One construction will occur along Kirby Street (from Cass Avenue to John R Street) and John R Street (from Kirby Street to Canfield Street). The project includes the construction of the pathway, along with the installation of barriers to separate vehicular traffic from the path. In addition, benches, bike racks, bike storage lockers, pedestrian lighting, landscaping, and trash receptacles will be added. This trail will transform midtown Detroit into a more walkable community by offering a safe and convenient route for pedestrians and cyclists going to museums, galleries, restaurants, and other businesses adjacent to the trail. The total project budget is $2,318,081, with $1,182,221 in federal TE funds, and matching funds of $1,135,860, which includes $510,000 from a federal earmark and $625,860 from the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan's GreenWays Initiative.
The Detroit Wayne County Port Authority is constructing a public dock and terminal in the city of Detroit between the General Motors Renaissance Center World Headquarters and Hart Plaza. This facility will serve as the port of entry and welcome center for the passengers from cruise ships and other vessels, such as naval frigates, historic tall ships, racing yachts and dinner cruises. As part of this project, the Port Authority will construct a portion of the Detroit Riverwalk that extends from the MacArthur Bridge at Belle Isle to Cobo Hall. The project will provide various safety and aesthetic enhancements, such as lighting, security cameras, landscaping, and seating, in order to make this an attractive site for pedestrians. In addition, this enhancement project will provide an alternative Riverwalk around the terminal building for those times when an international ship is docked at the terminal and, per requirements of the Department of Homeland Security, the Riverwalk must be closed. The total project budget is $1,105,145, with $884,116 in federal funds, and $221,029 in matching funds from MDOT.
Ice and Snow, Take It Slow Remember: Don't Crowd the Plow
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