SAGINAW, Mich., Jan. 26, 2021 — The Michigan Department of Transportation announced this week that the Saginaw County Road Commission has been awarded a $375,000 Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) Category F grant for Fiscal Year 2022 to cover the construction costs and repair of N. Michigan Avenue. Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) and Sen. Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth) both welcomed the news and noted the importance of this project.
“I cannot overstate the importance of this project to our community,” said Rep. Amos O’Neal. “Hardworking Michiganders rely on safe roads to get to work, parents rely on those roads to get their children to school, and businesses looking to expand consistently cite quality infrastructure as an important factor. Saginaw residents have made it abundantly clear that fixing our crumbling roads is a top priority and this grant is a step in the right direction.”
This grant will allow for the milling and resurfacing of N. Michigan Avenue between Shattuck Road and Schust Road. Michigan Avenue is an important north-south roadway in Saginaw County’s Carrollton Township, the majority of which is classified as all-season except for the section between Shattuck Road and Schust Road that is subject to seasonal weight restrictions. This forces truck operators to reduce loads when frost laws are in effect, thereby increasing their transportation costs. In addition, the pavement is nearing the end of its operational life and is in need of rehabilitation.
“Michigan roads and bridges have been deteriorating for years and the coronavirus further halted repairs that were either being planned or in the works,” said Sen. Ken Horn. “I am glad to see the focus turning back to improving our infrastructure and communities. Michigan Avenue is a major vein through Carrollton Township and residents rely on it being up-to-par and safe to travel on. This grant funding will greatly benefit the Saginaw County Road Commission and improve the quality of life for residents and area businesses.”
Additional work includes shoulder widening, curb and gutter repairs and ADA ramp upgrades at intersections. The total cost of construction is $952,432, with $375,000 in Category F funds and $577,432 in matching funds from the Saginaw County Road Commission.
Enacted in 1987 and reauthorized in 1993, the TEDF helps finance highway, road and street projects that are critical to the movement of people and products, and getting workers to their jobs, materials to growers and manufacturers, and finished goods to consumers. TEDF Category F grants are competitive grants made to eligible road agencies to preserve and/or expand all-season road networks within the urban areas of rural counties.
More information about the grant program is available online at Michigan.gov/TEDF.
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