Article Summary –
Michigan communities will benefit from over $35.5 million in federally funded grants aimed at improving roadway safety, with Kalamazoo County and Detroit receiving the majority of the funding.
Kalamazoo County will use its $25 million to enhance over 130 miles of roads by installing rumble strips, improving pavement markings and signage, widening roads, and creating left-turn lanes, addressing causes of past fatalities and injuries.
Detroit’s $10 million grant, supplemented by $2.2 million in state aid, will focus on reducing crashes along the Gratiot Avenue corridor, and additional grants will support safety action plans for Rochester Hills and Wixom.
Four Michigan Communities Receive $35.5 Million in Safe Roads Grants
Four Michigan communities will see improved road safety due to over $35.5 million in federal grants.
The Michigan Infrastructure Office announced new Safe Streets and Roads for All grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation to enhance road safety and reduce traffic fatalities. Roadway crashes are the leading cause of death for Michiganders under 45, according to the office.
Kalamazoo County and Detroit are receiving the majority of the USDOT funding.
Kalamazoo County will receive $25 million to improve over 130 miles of major roads, primarily rural. A Michigan Infrastructure Office press release states the project aims to address 74 deaths and 30 injuries over the past five years, mostly caused by vehicles leaving the road.
The project includes installing rumble strips on medians and shoulders, improving pavement markings, and widening 16 miles of roadways by at least three feet along the shoulder to enhance pedestrian safety. Additionally, left-turn lanes will be created at high-risk locations.
Detroit will use a $10 million grant from the U.S. Transportation Department and $2.2 million in state aid to implement safety measures on the Gratiot Avenue corridor. From 2019 to 2023, Gratiot Avenue saw over 2,500 crashes, making it one of the most dangerous corridors.
“Every Michigander deserves to travel safely in their community, whether by car, bus, bike, or on foot,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stated. “I’m grateful to the Biden-Harris administration and our congressional delegation for their commitment to public safety and for delivering these Safe Streets Grants to Kalamazoo County and Detroit.”
The Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program was created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Joe Biden in 2021. According to the Federal Transit Administration, the law is the largest federal investment in public transportation in U.S. history. Michigan has received approximately $13 billion to improve roads, railways, and broadband infrastructure.
Rochester Hills and Wixom received $440,000 and $160,000, respectively, to develop action plans for safer roads.
“These awards help communities make it safer for families to get to work, access medical care, and buy groceries, saving lives and making our communities more accessible for pedestrians, bikes, and drivers,” said Zachary Kolodin, director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. “Michigan continues to demonstrate to the federal government that we are a wise investment. We are committed to remaining a leader in infrastructure projects that create opportunities for every Michigander to live, work, and travel in a secure and prosperous environment.”
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