Michigan Wins $65 Million Investment from Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Improve Roadways, Reduce Accidents, and Save Lives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
Dec. 18, 2023
Contact: Michiganinfrastructure@michigan.gov

Michigan Wins $65 Million Investment from Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Improve Roadways, Reduce Accidents, and Save Lives

Michigan Receives Second-Highest Total Funding in the Nation from Safe Streets and Roads for All Grants to Create Safe Sustainable Roadways

LANSING, Mich.—Today, the Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO) announced that Michigan will receive nearly $50 million in Safe Streets and Roads for All (SSRA) grants for projects in the cities of Detroit and Dearborn and a combined $15.7 million in SSRA planning and demonstration funding for 13 community projects, the second-highest awarding among other states. The grants, made available through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), will provide communities across the state with infrastructure funding to improve roadways to reduce accidents and save Michiganders’ lives. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for Michiganders under the age of 45.

“Every Michigander should feel safe in their community. That means driving without fear of hitting a pothole or safely commuting on the buses or a bicycle," said Governor Whitmer. “Today’s investments in Michigan will improve quality of life for families by improving our roads and reducing accidents. I’m grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration and our representatives in DC for prioritizing and delivering on infrastructure. Together, we will build up our state, grow our economy, and make real difference in people’s lives.”

Detroit: Increasing Safety and Access to Bus Stops

The Citsy of Detroit has been awarded $24.8 million to improve safety and bus stop accessibility at 56 high-crash intersections served by the Detroit Department of Transportation bus service. The grant funding will allow for improvements that will support safer transfers between bus routes, including widening the sidewalk, increasing the visibility of crosswalks, and updating intersection lighting. The city will also conduct a Level of Traffic Stress analysis to address gaps in bicyclist/pedestrian networks, update the City's Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, and pilot training for DDOT bus operators to ensure safe operations around people walking and biking.

“We thank President Biden and our federal partners for their continued commitment to providing safer and more accessible transit here in the City of Detroit,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “These funds, coupled with those awarded in January of this year, will go a long way to improving safety and the overall quality of life for Detroiters who rely on transit daily.”

Dearborn: Creating Safer and Sustainable Roadways

The City of Dearborn was also selected to receive $24.8 million to fund a roadway configuration project focusing on a dual-lane reduction on Warren Avenue. This 2-mile stretch of road hosts five lanes of traveling traffic and is a major thoroughfare used to get to Detroit, Canada, and the Detroit Metro Airport. The project will include narrowing Warren Avenue to calm traffic and updating the streetscape to incorporate a new bike lane, plant buffer, and LED lighting. As a result of this project the City of Dearborn will lower its carbon footprint and improve safety for pedestrians, bikers, and motorists alike.

"Warren Avenue is a cornerstone of our city. For too long, the area has endured serious traffic safety challenges,” said Dearborn Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud. “These dollars will go a long way in helping us reimagine traffic and pedestrian safety along the corridor and, in doing so, improve its walkability and access to local businesses. I am grateful to our congresswoman, Rashida Tlaib for her tremendous support in helping us secure this impactful grant award. We are fortunate to also have a partner in Wayne County Executive Warren Evans in revitalizing this critical county road."

SEMCOG: Reducing Traffic Accidents in Southeast Michigan

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) received $10 million in grant funding for a project that will make roads on Southeast Michigan’s High Injury network safer for people of all ages and abilities. This includes implementing the Southeast Michigan Traffic Safety Plan and Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Plan to reduce roadway deaths and serious injuries.

In the last decade, Southeast Michigan has had more than 130,000 traffic crashes and nearly 2,500 traffic fatalities and serious injuries each year. On average, more than 100 bicyclists and pedestrians are killed in crashes each year in the region. Southeast Michigan’s transportation system, with more than 25,000 miles of roads, supports more than 100 million miles of travel each day.

“The fact that Michigan awardees received $65 million – more than any state but California – in this round of funding confirms two things,” said Amy O’Leary, Executive Director of Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. “First, the data tells a story that everyone can understand: there is a critical need to focus resources on safety, especially for the most vulnerable users. Second, our region has a strong coalition of partners who are committed to putting Safety First and creating a safe and equitable environment for all. SEMCOG is grateful to USDOT and excited for this opportunity to implement projects that will save lives and provide models for broader use throughout Southeast Michigan.”

Michigan continues to lead the nation in bringing home federal funding investments to support transformational infrastructure projects that will create thriving communities for generations to come. To date, Michigan has received more than $9.6 billion from the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve infrastructure outcomes across the state.

"Safe roads are the key to building thriving communities. Safety gives pedestrians, bikers, and drivers the confidence to shop downtown, dine out, and be in community with friends and neighbors," said Zachary Kolodin, Michigan’s chief infrastructure officer and director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. "Michigan communities understand this and that's why Michigan received the second highest amount of safe streets funding nationwide – once again, punching well above our weight class."

Please find below a full list of SSRA Planning and Demonstration grant recipients:

For more information about MIO, please visit www.michigan.gov/whitmer/issues/michigan-infrastructure-office.

ABOUT THE MICHIGAN INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICE

The Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO) is responsible for organizing and executing Governor Whitmer’s vision for infrastructure, coordinating across state government, marshaling resources, and partnering with local officials, federal partners, and outside stakeholders to ensure resources sent to Michigan through BIL, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), are used efficiently and effectively.