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The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced that the state is awarding $2,671,457 in federal Transportation Enhancement (TE) grants to fund projects in Alger, Lenawee, Muskegon, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. The grants will help to fund the construction of 7.5 miles of non-motorized trails and a half mile of streetscape improvements.

"These projects will help communities from the [Upper Peninsula] to Detroit to invest in trails and other improvements that increase the quality of life and help attract residents and businesses to an area," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "MDOT is pleased to work with our partners to make these upgrades possible."

Under federal law, 10 percent of federal surface transportation funds are set aside for TE projects. Administered by MDOT, the grants enable communities to invest in projects such as streetscapes and non-motorized trails. TE funds provide a maximum of 80 percent of the money required for each project, with the remainder coming from state and local government and the private sector.

Following are the projects, listed by county:

Alger County
The city of Munising will construct the first phase of a 1-1/2-mile bike path along County Road H-58/East Munising Avenue. This phase will include a separated, shared-use non-motorized pathway along the north side of H-58/East Munising Avenue from Birch Street east to Mill Street. Additionally, 4-foot-wide paved shoulders will be constructed on H-58/East Munising Avenue from the Anna River Bridge east to Washington Street. The project cost is $323,093, including $222,934 in federal TE funds and $100,159 in local match from the city.

Lenawee County
MDOT, in partnership with the village of Blissfield, will streetscape US-223 from South Monroe Street to Elm Street. The project includes decorative sidewalks and lighting, benches, trash receptacles, trees, shrubs, and perennial flowers. This project will be paired with an MDOT resurfacing road project scheduled for next construction season. The project cost is $839,819, including $545,882 in federal TE funds and $293,937 in local match from the village.

Muskegon County
The Muskegon County Road Commission will construct Phase 1 of the Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail, a 6-mile non-motorized trail from White Lake Drive in Fruitland Township to Tyler Road in Dalton Township. The trail will ultimately be a vital link between the Hart-Montague Trail, the city of Muskegon Lakeshore Trail, and the Musketawa Trail. The project cost is $1,083,238, including $541,619 in federal TE funds, $442,240 from the West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition, $89,879 from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment Recreation Improvement Fund, and $9,500 from Fruitland and Dalton townships.

Washtenaw County
The city of Ann Arbor will construct bike lanes and sidewalks on the East Stadium Boulevard bridges that cross over South State Street and the adjacent Ann Arbor Railroad track. The connection is part of the city's non-motorized transportation plan, the non-motorized plan for Washtenaw County, and the vision for the Allen Creek Greenway. Adding these elements to the Stadium Boulevard bridges will help pedestrians and bicyclists safely travel to Ann Arbor Pioneer High School and the University of Michigan. This project will be paired with the reconstruction of the two bridges. The project cost is $1,502,065, including $1,201,652 in federal TE funds and $300,413 in local match from the city.

Wayne County
The Detroit Wayne County Port Authority is constructing a public dock and terminal in downtown Detroit, between the Renaissance Center and Hart Plaza. The Port Authority also will construct a portion of the Detroit Riverwalk, directly in front of the terminal building. The project will provide various amenities, including ornamental railings, site furnishings, and a security system. The project cost is $318,739, including $159,370 in federal TE funds and $159,370 in local match from the Port Authority.