U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $9.1 Million in Grants for Michigan Highway Projects |
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Topics: Ray LaHood
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Federal Highway Administration
17 August 2011
FHWA 37-11
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Contact: Nancy Singer
Tel: 202-366-0660
Funds will help create jobs by through interstate reconstruction, rail improvements and construction of new truck parking spaces
WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced more than $9.1 million in grants for Michigan to fund an array of highway-related efforts ranging from reconstructing I-196 in Allegan County and making rail improvements to the Chicago Hub/Michigan Line in Berrien County.
"Transportation investments like these will create jobs and improve the quality of life for Michigan residents as well as strengthen the state’s economy," said Secretary LaHood. "The demand from the states for these funds shows just how critical the need is for infrastructure investment."
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) invited states to apply in June for federal funding from 14 grant programs. Requests poured in from every state, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. – more than 1,800 applications, totaling nearly $13 billion, which is more than 30 times the funds available.
"At a time when states are facing serious budgetary constraints, these grants will help fill a critical need," said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. "Investments like these are immediate and long-lasting and will help create jobs."
Congress created the discretionary grant programs to give FHWA the latitude to support projects that maintain the nation’s roads and bridges, improve roadway safety and make communities more livable. In previous years, Congress designated some of this grant money for specific projects and FHWA awarded the remainder through a competitive process. Because the FY11 budget passed by Congress last April directed that all such funds be discretionary, FHWA awarded these funds through a competitive process.
Michigan received funding for the following projects.
| PROJECT | AWARD |
|---|---|
| Reconstructing I-196 in Allegan County | $2,000,000 |
| Constructing 3.7 miles of trail on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail | $1,646,000 |
| Consolidating 11 crossings in Berrien County on the Michigan Line of the Chicago Hub | $1,500,000 |
| Developing a bicycle and pedestrian trail on the Iron County Scenic Byway | $995,600 |
| Developing a "Complete Streets" plan for Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak | $752,880 |
| Funding for the survey and design of 3.7 miles of bicycle/pedestrian trail on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail | $328,000 |
| Developing Reo Town Complete Streets project in Lansing | $326,100 |
| Providing career programs and internships | $300,000 |
| Enhance outreach and recruitment efforts to ensure disadvantaged business owners are informed about Disadvantaged Business Enterprise opportunities | $276,450 |
| Replacing M-25 over Harbor Beach Creek in Huron County using Fiber Reinforced Polymer | $270,000 |
| Developing 60,000 acres surrounding Detroit International Airport as part of the Detroit Region Aerotropolis Development Corporation Transportation Planning Project | $260,880 |
| Acquisition of land adjacent to Detour Ferry Terminal to improve staging area for vehicles and passengers | $238,000 |
| Installing signage in Copper County Trails rest area | $192,656 |
| Improving site access on the Copper Country Trail | $60,970 |
| TOTAL | $9,147,536 |
A complete state-by-state list of this year's grant recipients is available online at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa1137/.