Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $10 Million in Federal Grants for Transportation & Infrastructure Improvements in Michigan

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that Michigan will receive over $10 million in federal grants for transportation and infrastructure improvements in the state. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will receive a $8,333,600 grant to replace outdated traffic signal systems across the state, converting approximately 1,000 locations to a central control system that is owned, operated, and maintained by MDOT statewide. This funding will enable greater traffic management efficiencies at lower cost to state and local communities. Additionally, the Road Commission for Oakland County will receive a $2 million grant to help complete an initial environmental impact statement on the future proposed widening of Adams Road in Rochester Hills.

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded both grants through the Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) program, which awards federal funding on a competitive basis across the nation for projects considered to have significant local or regional impact. BUILD funding can support roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports or intermodal transportation. Peters and Stabenow helped create the BUILD program as part of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, and secured funding for BUILD grants through the bipartisan year-end funding bill that both senators helped pass and enact into law last December.

“There’s no question Michigan’s roads and infrastructure are in need of repair. Having safe and reliable roads and transit is critical to our state and our economy and makes Michigan an even better place to live, work and raise a family,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. “These grants will modernize traffic signal systems and advance the Adams Road expansion project in Oakland County.”

“Our roads are used by vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, public transit, and emergency responders throughout Michigan,” said Senator Stabenow. “This funding will help the Michigan Department of Transportation improve safety and invest in the Adams Road expansion project in Oakland County.”

“Ensuring the safety of travelers and pedestrians is a top priority for Governor Whitmer and MDOT. We continuously strive to capitalize on technology to eliminate congestion and save time for commuters,” said Paul C. Ajegba, Director, Michigan Department of Transportation. “These grants will help us in those efforts, and we are fortunate that Senators Stabenow and Peters understand and support our work.”

“The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) is thrilled to learn we have been awarded a $2 million BUILD Grant. Our perseverance in pursuing grants has paid off again for Oakland County residents,” said Greg Jamian, Board Chairman, RCOC. “This grant will help to pay for an extensive environmental assessment to study widening Adams Road between Walton Boulevard and Hamlin Road in Rochester Hills. We look forward to working with the City of Rochester Hills, Rochester Hills residents and businesses, Oakland University and other stake holders to move forward with this study. We are extremely grateful to the Federal Highway Administration for selecting us to receive this grant and to Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow for supporting the grant application.”

More information on the Department of Transportation Grant program can be found at http://www.dot.gov/grants.

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