Peters visits Warren to highlight Detroit Arsenal Mound Road connector project

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel dubbed U.S. Senator Gary Peters the $100 million dollar man Wednesday during a press conference in Warren celebrating $2.5 million in new federal funding for Mound Road that brings the total investment of federal dollars into the reconstruction project to $100.5 million.

The newest funding will help complete the Mound Road/Detroit Arsenal Connector Project that will enhance the roadway between 11 Mile and 12 Mile roads.

“We were pleased to get this additional money to support the efforts of the Arsenal and make sure that traffic continues to move efficiently up and down this corridor,” said Peters. “This project is going to continue to drive growth, continue to drive innovation and continue to create good high paying jobs throughout Macomb County because of this investment in Mound Road.”

Hackel said every part of the Innovate Mound project has something to do with industry partners on the state and local levels; the latest award that was secured with the help of Peters will make improvements specific to the needs of the Detroit Arsenal.

Peters, who like Hackel is a Democrat, said Mound Road and Macomb County are at the forefront of the most advanced technologies when it comes to the auto industry and defense.

“We are very proud to have this amazing defense corridor,” said Peters. “When you think of the work that is being done for next generation combat vehicles that will take our fighters into combat and, most importantly, bring them home safely to their families when they complete their mission – that is all being developed here along this corridor.

“It is very exciting to see that happen and know Macomb County is at the very center of the future of warfare.”

Major General Darren Werner, Senior Commander for the Detroit Arsenal, called his facility the center of gravity for Army combat systems.

“Advancement, development, modernization, innovation is all happening behind the gate at Detroit Arsenal,” said Werner.  “This project will enable us to be part of this defense corridor in a better way by expanding our gate out to get large vehicles with tanks and Bradleys and other types of equipment that come and go off the Arsenal in and out quicker, and without impeding the local community.”

Approximately 8,000 employees travel through the gates of the Detroit Arsenal on a daily basis.

This second phase of the Innovate Mound project, which stretches from 16 Mile Road to I-696, will strengthen a corridor that’s home to the Detroit Arsenal, General Motors Tech Center, BAE Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems, as well as Stellantis and Ford plants up and down it and a massive supply base and supporting industry. The majority of this piece of the project is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The entire Innovate Mound project runs from M-59 to I-696 with much of the project from M-59 to 16 Mile Road being completed last year.

“There is no road we can’t fix if we have the funding,” said Hackel. “The economic impact that this corridor has from I-696 to M-59 is amazing.”