February 13, 2012 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) today awarded federal Transportation Enhancement (TE) grants for projects in four Michigan counties. Three of the counties, Emmet, Leelanau and Livingston, are receiving funds for projects that will support tourism by providing residents and visitors with access to nearly 20 miles of pedestrian and bicycle paths. The fourth, Kent County, will receive funding for a project that will enhance a Grand Rapids business district by improving water quality from stormwater runoff.
"This federal funding helps pay for improvements that make a real difference in economic development and quality of life," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "Transportation enhancements like these make Michigan communities even more attractive to residents, visitors and business investors."
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 projects such as 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.
The following projects are listed by county:
Emmet County
The Emmet County Road Commission, in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), will construct 7 miles of a 10-foot-wide trail from M-119 in Petoskey to Powers Road in Alanson. Approximately 5.5 trail miles will be constructed on a former railroad corridor owned by MDNR, while 1.5 miles will be constructed in MDOT right of way along US-31. The project budget is $1,345,670, including $941,969 in federal TE funds, $300,000 expected from the MDNR Natural Resources Trust Fund and $103,701 expected from the MDNR Recreational Trails Program.
Kent County
The city of Grand Rapids will install bio-retention islands on Plainfield Avenue, from Leonard Street to Ann Street. The islands will include water retention areas, special plantings, and a pollution filtration system. Construction will be coordinated with a city road project. The project will improve water quality by capturing and treating the first flush of rain water and reducing flows that enter the storm sewer system. Additional benefits include improved air quality, livability and aesthetics. The project budget is $225,641, including $146,667 in federal TE funds and matching funds of $78,974 from the city and private donors.
Leelanau County
The Leelanau County Road Commission will pave 6.5 miles of the Leelanau Trail, part of the Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) trail, from Lakeview Hills Road to Revold Road. The trail surface will be asphalt from Lakeview Hills Road to Bingham Road and crushed limestone from Bingham Road to Revold Road. The project budget is $671,498, including $470,049 in federal TE funds and $201,449 in matching from TART Trails, Inc.
Livingston County
The Livingston County Road Commission will construct the next phase of the Lakelands Trail in Putnam Township and the village of Pinckney by paving 6.2 miles of the existing trail in Hamburg Township to the border of Unadilla Township. Trailhead parking also will be added at West Depot Street in Pinckney and at Cedar Lake Road near the Pinckney State Recreation Area. The project includes restoring five pedestrian bridges, replacing six culverts, adding six resting areas, new pedestrian signs, and landscaping the area where the trail crosses M-36. A turf trail also will be developed next to the paved trail to accommodate horseback riders and to connect with an equestrian turf trail in Hamburg Township. The Lakelands Trail is a critical component of a shore-to-shore trail system across Michigan. These improvements will safely connect trail users with the recreational opportunities and natural resources of a beautiful linear state park. The project budget is $1,364,673, including $927,523 in federal TE funds, $339,013 in matching funds from the MDNR Natural Resources Trust Fund, $48,137 in matching funds from Putnam Township and the Pinckney Downtown Development Authority, and a generous $50,000 contribution from a local citizen.
MDOT reminds drivers: Snowplows need room to groom.
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