Eight rural Michigan counties will use $2.4 million in state Category F Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) grants to upgrade roads in urban areas to “all season” status to support local economic growth and keep Michigan open for business year-round, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced today.
Category F funding is intended to expand or preserve all-season roads on commercial routes in urban areas of rural counties. In order to leverage the impact of the Category F investment, MDOT considers the amount of commercial traffic on local roads, connections to other local all-season roads, state trunklines, and the project’s ability to improve safety and intermodal connectivity.
Projects have been approved for Category F funds in Calhoun, Houghton, Ionia, Lapeer, Lenawee, Mason, Shiawassee, and St. Joseph counties. The projects will be completed with nearly $1.7 million in local matching funds. The improvements will include road reconstruction, resurfacing, storm sewer repairs, and upgrades to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The TEDF provides funding for transportation improvements that increase the state’s ability to compete in a global economy and promote economic growth. Eligible applicants for Category F grants are county, city and village road agencies within counties having a population of 400,000 or less. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis with a minimum local match of 20 percent.
Approved 2016 Category F Projects by County
Calhoun County
The Calhoun County Road Department will resurface and upgrade 0.9 miles of Custer Drive in Bedford Township to all-season standards. Custer Drive provides a critical link between the Fort Custer Industrial Park in Battle Creek and M-89. The $200,000 project will receive $160,000 in state Category F funding and $40,000 in match from the road department.
Houghton County
The Houghton County Road Commission will reconstruct 0.3 miles of Red Jacket Road in Calumet Township to all-season status. This roadway is part of a main route from US-41 to Calumet and provides access to several downtown businesses and is a connection between US-41 and M-203. The $750,000 project will receive $375,000 in state Category F funding and $375,000 in match from the road commission.
Ionia County
The Ionia County Road Commission will resurface 1.2 miles of East Riverside Drive in Ionia Township from M-66 (South State Road) to Cleveland Street. The roadway serves as a commercial bypass for the city of Ionia and provides access to M-21 and M-66. The $494,860 project will receive $375,000 in state Category F funding and $119,860 in match from the road commission.
Lapeer County
The Lapeer County Road Commission will resurface 2.6 miles of Wilder Road from I-69 to Imlay City Road in Lapeer Township to upgrade it to all-season standards. This roadway is part of a developing all-season system around the Lapeer area and provides a direct connection between I-69 and Imlay City Road, an important east-west all-season route. The $951,090 project will receive $375,000 in state Category F funding and $576,090 in match from the road commission.
Lenawee County
The city of Tecumseh will resurface 0.8 miles of North Evans Street in Tecumseh from M-50 to the bridge north of Water Street. The project also includes curb repairs and upgrading ramps to ADA standards along an all-season north-south route that serves as the primary connection between Tecumseh and the village of Clinton. The $296,528 project will receive $222,396 in state Category F funding and $74,132 in match from the city.
Mason County
The city of Ludington will reconstruct 0.5 miles of Sixth Street in Ludington from Washington Street to Sherman Street. It also will install new curb and gutter, make storm sewer repairs, and upgrade sidewalks to ADA standards. This route provides access to Occidental Chemical Corp., industrial facilities on Dowland Street, the Lake Michigan car ferry dock, and the Great Lakes Materials dock on the west end of Dowland Street. The $728,550 project will receive $375,000 in state Category F funding and $353,550 in match from the city.
Shiawassee County
The city of Owosso will resurface 0.5 miles of Gould Street in Owosso from M-71 (Corunna Avenue) to M-21 (Main Street). Gould Street is a major north-south commercial corridor that connects M-71 to M-21. The $440,000 project will receive $352,000 in state Category F funding and $88,000 in match from the city.
St. Joseph County
The St. Joseph County Road Commission will resurface a route that provides access between US-12 and an industrial park on the northwest side of the city of Sturgis. The project involves 0.7 miles of White School Road from US-12 to Progress Street, and Progress Street from White School road to the west Sturgis city limits. The $214,148 project will receive $171,318 in state Category F funding and $42,830 in match from the road commission.
More information about the program is available online at www.michigan.gov/tedf.
Source: MDOT
