Gov. Whitmer announces transportation grants to villages and small cities for road repair

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday $3.7 million in road funding grants will be awarded to 25 villages and cities across the state with populations less than 10,000 through the Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF), Category B - Villages and Small Cities.

"Today's transportation grants will help us fix the damn roads in villages and small cities across Michigan as we continue our economic jumpstart and put people back to work," said the Governor. "With these dollars, communities can get started on fixing their roads to meet their most critical infrastructure needs at the local level right now. I look forward to making further investments in our roads and bridges under our Rebuilding Michigan plan and using the influx of federal dollars headed our way under the proposed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to help people get to work, pick their kids up from school, or take the family on a road trip without worrying about blowing a tire or cracking an axle."

Grant awards range from $34,000 to $250,000 to each community for road resurfacing, culvert replacement, pavement crack sealing, and shoulder paving.

The communities set to receive road funding grants include the cities of Munising, Potterville, Mt. Morris, Reading, East Tawas, Galesburg, Morenci, Ishpeming, Bangor, and Ecorse; and the villages of Sterling, Bellevue, Pigeon, Pewamo, Hanover, Cement City, Pinckney, Edmore, Marion, Peck, Akron, Gagetown, Reese, Decatur, and Manchester. Click here for the project list and details.

Established by the state Legislature in 2018 and administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), TEDF, Category B - Villages and Small Cities is a stop-gap program to help fund road projects in small communities.

The city of Ecorse will receive $218,000, a 50% match, for repairs to 6th Street, Elton Street and 15th Street. In response, state Rep. Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit, Ecorse & River Rouge) issued the following statement:

"Everyone in this state deserves to drive on safe roads. I applaud Gov. Whiter and the Michigan Department of Transportation for their continued commitment to improve our roads and infrastructure. With this grant, the city of Ecorse can meet some of its crucial needs for road repair right away."

Mayor Larmar Tidell is excited that the City of Ecorse was chosen to be the recipient of this grant. Tidwell said, "This funding will aide us as we continue with efforts to provide our citizens with more streets that are safe and smooth to ride on. We are continuing to take on projects that will improve the quality of life for our children and our adults. This year's grant will focus on improving three more streets within the city that will prevent excessive wear and tear on our residents' vehicles." He added, "Our administration will continue to look for more opportunities to make Ecorse better for our citizens."