MDOT to present $1 million in Local Jobs Today funding to Alger County Road Commission to continue paving H-58
Contact:
James Lake 906-786-1830, ext. 323
Agency:
Transportation
July 31, 2008 -- Paving of H-58 between Grand Marais and Munising will continue this summer, thanks in part to a $1 million Local Jobs Today check to be presented Tuesday, Aug. 5, by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to the Alger County Road Commission.
The state funding, along with $4.1 million in federal funding secured through the efforts of U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak and U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, will allow for the paving of 10.3 miles of H-58 from the current end of the pavement 4.5 miles east of Melstrand to Kingston Corners. The contractor for the project, Oberstar Inc. of Marquette, began work on this phase of the project on July 21.
U.S. Rep. Stupak, State Rep. Steve Lindberg, State Sen. Mike Prusi - as well as representatives of U.S. Sens. Stabenow and Levin and Gov. Jennifer Granholm - who helped secure the funding, are expected to attend a ceremony scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Alger County Road Commission office in Munising. Ron DeCook, MDOT's director of Governmental Affairs, will present the check for the state portion of funding.
"Improving local roads and creating jobs is what Gov. Granholm's Local Jobs Today program was designed to accomplish, and completing the paving of H-58 is a perfect example of the success the program has been," said MDOT Director Kirk T. Steudle. "Tourism is an important component of the local economy, and these improvements to H-58 will help provide a boost for the area."
By paving the remaining 19 miles of H-58, which is expected to be completed by 2010, the road commission anticipates lower maintenance costs and better ride quality for the motoring public. A paved surface will reduce dust during drier months, and reduce erosion during spring runoff and major storms.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) facilities east and north of Kingston will remain accessible from Grand Marais. Traffic in the Gemini, Ross and Long lakes area will be detoured on Schoolcraft County roads. A detour map will be posted at www.algerroads.org.
In total, the Local Jobs Today program provided nearly $3 million toward the $14 million project to pave H-58 in its entirety. The remaining phases of construction are expected to generate 200 jobs in this area.
Local Jobs Today included more than $6 million in local match dollars for the Upper Peninsula and leveraged nearly $36.3 million in investments in the region, bringing with it 654 local jobs. The Local Jobs Today program is part of Gov. Granholm's comprehensive economic plan to create jobs and grow Michigan's economy.
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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