Dickinson Co. gets road improvement grant
Dickinson County nine counties in Michigan to share $2.7 million in state Category F funds to upgrade roads. The improvements range from roadways in urban areas to “all-season” status in more rural regions to support local economic growth and keep Michigan open for business year-round, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced Tuesday.
Category F funding is intended to expand or preserve all-season roads on commercial routes in the urban areas of rural counties. In order to leverage the impact of the state’s investment, MDOT’s decision to award funding considers the amount of commercial traffic on the local road, connections to other all-season roads, Category D routes, or state trunklines, and the project’s ability to improve safety and intermodal connectivity on Michigan roads.
“These transportation economic development grants will help link current and future manufacturers to all-season commercial routes all the way from the western Upper Peninsula to St. Clair County,” said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. “MDOT is pleased to partner with cities, villages and county road commissions on projects that will improve the condition of these all-season routes and keep goods moving efficiently across Michigan.”
Projects have been approved for Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) Category F funds in Berrien, Branch, Dickinson, Jackson, Muskegon, Roscommon, St. Clair, Van Buren and Washtenaw counties. The projects will be completed with nearly $1.9 million in local matching funds. The improvements will include road reconstruction, resurfacing, and drainage improvements.
The TEDF provides funding for transportation improvements that enhance the state’s ability to compete in a global economy, promote economic growth and improve the quality of life in Michigan. 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 2014 TEDF Category F Projects by County
Berrien County
The city of Coloma will reconstruct, resurface and make sidewalk ramp upgrades to 0.56 miles of Paw Paw Street from Center Street to the Paw Paw River Bridge. This all-season route connects Coloma with I-94 and the Red Arrow Highway. The $437,085 project will receive $349,668 in state TEDF Category F funding and $87,417 in match from the city.
Branch County
The city of Coldwater will resurface 0.48 miles of North Michigan Avenue from East State Road to Seeley Street. This all-season route connects to US-12 and services an industrial area on the northeast side of Coldwater. The $320,000 project will receive $256,000 in state TEDF Category F funding and $64,000 in match from the city.
Dickinson County
The city of Kingsford will resurface 0.91 miles of Westwood Avenue and Breitung Avenue from Woodward Avenue to Garfield Street. This all-season route provides access to the city’s industrial area and connects to the county’s all-season road network. The $314,493 project will receive $251,594 in state TEDF Category F funding and $62,899 in match from the city.
Jackson County
The Jackson County Department of Transportation (JCDOT) will resurface 0.28 miles of Fifth Street from Page Avenue to Broad Street and make drainage improvements. This all-season route is a high-traffic, all-season commercial corridor in Leoni Township. The $225,000 project will receive $180,000 in state TEDF Category F funding and $45,000 in match from the JCDOT.
Muskegon County
The city of Norton Shores will reconstruct 1.01 miles of Grand Haven Road from Pontaluna Road to Wilson Road. This main north-south route provides access to several commercial and industrial businesses, and serves as an emergency route to US-31. The $1,066,737 project will receive $375,000 in state TEDF Category F funding and $691,737 in match from the city.
Roscommon County
The Roscommon County Road Commission will resurface 2.03 miles of County Road 400 (Emery Road), an all-season road from Loxley Road to Townline Road. This project will improve a major east-west corridor in the Houghton Lake area, providing connections to US-127 and M-18. The $468,750 project will receive $375,000 in state TEDF Category F funding and $93,750 in match from the road commission.
St. Clair County
The St. Clair County Road Commission will reconstruct 0.9 miles of Dove Street from 2,500 feet east of Michigan Road to 2,500 west of Michigan Road. This project will reconstruct a critical segment of an all-season road network that services the city of Port Huron’s industrial park and provides connections from I-94, west of the city limits, to the I-69 Business Loop and the I-94 Business Loop. The $470,000 project will receive $375,000 in state TEDF Category F funding and $95,000 in match from the road commission.
Van Buren County
The village of Paw Paw will reconstruct and make drainage improvements to 0.81 miles of West Michigan Avenue from the west village limits to Gremps Street. This roadway is part of the multi-county, all-season Red Arrow Highway route and connects to M-40 and I-94. The $995,000 project will receive $375,000 in state TEDF Category F funding and $620,000 from the village.
Washtenaw County
The village of Dexter will reconstruct Central Street from Second Street to Third Street. This roadway is part of the village’s designated truck route and provides connections to Main Street and Baker Road, the primary north-south route linking to I-94. The $333,334 project will receive $200,000 in state TEDF Category F funding and $133,334 in match from the village.