The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has announced that small urban areas in 25 Michigan counties will receive more than $8 million in FY 2011 for projects that range from rebuilding roads to purchasing buses. Sturgis and Three Rivers are among the recipient communities.

The federal funding is awarded at a maximum of $375,000 per project to small urban areas with a population base of 5,000 to 50,000. Agencies receiving federal dollars must provide a 20 percent match in funds.

“This transportation program will improve roadways and public transit in 28 communities stretching from Adrian to Houghton,” said Gov. Jennifer Granholm. “These improvements will support economic development in these communities and new jobs for Michigan citizens.”

Communities to receive federal funds in 2011 include: Adrian, Albion, Allegan, Alma, Au Sable, Berrien Springs, Coloma, Dowagiac, Fremont, Gaylord, Hancock, Houghton, Houghton Lake, Ironwood, Ishpeming, Kinross Township, Lapeer, Ludington, Marshall, Owosso, Paw Paw, Petoskey, Potterville, Sanford, South Haven, Sturgis, Three Rivers and Traverse City.

The City of Sturgis will receive funding for two projects – $130,000 for Big Hill Road from US-12 to Lafayette Road and $125,000 for North Centerville Road from West Lafayette Street to Haines Boulevard.  The City of Three Rivers was awarded $185,000 for Constantine Street from Millard Street south to Broadway.

Small urban projects run the gamut from replacing traffic signs and upgrading traffic signals, road resurfacing, adding left or right turn lanes or passing relief lanes, upgrading carpool lots and bridge repair and reconstruction that does not involve adding lanes.

Communities can use the money to invest in their federal aid road system or for public transit capital improvements. The funds, distributed through MDOT, are available at the start of the department’s 2011 fiscal year, which begins on October 1st.

The Small Urban Program, which is an approach unique to Michigan, invests federal dollars in small urban communities throughout the state to make transportation improvements. To be eligible for funding, projects must be located within the federal aid urban area boundary, located on the federal-aid highway system, and consistent with regional land use and development plans. MDOT initiated the program in 1991.

More information on the Small Urban Program and a complete list of projects is available online at: www.michigan.gov/mdotsmallurban.

Source:  News release from Michigan Department of Transportation