On 3rd Anniversary of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Senators Stabenow and Peters Highlight Infrastructure Projects Taking Place Across Michigan Thanks to Historic Law

On 3rd Anniversary of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Senators Stabenow and Peters Highlight Infrastructure Projects Taking Place Across Michigan Thanks to Historic Law

Monday, November 18, 2024

DETROIT, MI - On the 3^rd anniversary of the enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) highlighted infrastructure projects taking place across Michigan thanks to the historic law. Since its enactment, Michigan has received more than $13 billion to upgrade our state's aging roads, bridges, and highways, expand access to high-speed internet, replace dangerous lead pipes, protect the Great Lakes, strengthen the power grid, improve public transportation, and more. These investments have created thousands of good-paying jobs, including union jobs, for Michiganders across the state.

"These once-in-a-generation investments have created a strong foundation for a prosperous future for our state," said Senator Stabenow. "From restoring and protecting our Great Lakes, to keeping the new Soo Lock construction on track, to rebuilding our roads and bridges, and so much more, this law will have a lasting positive impact on the State of Michigan."

"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was a historic investment that will benefit generations of Michiganders to come," said Senator Peters. "This law is working to ensure that Michigan's infrastructure can support our growing economy while creating more good-paying jobs for Michiganders in the process. It's supporting projects that will help keep our Great Lakes clean and our drinking water safe. It's strengthening the resiliency of our power grid and expanding access to reliable high-speed internet throughout every part of the state. I was proud to play a role in its passage and will keep fighting for more investments to keep our state strong."

Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Michigan has received more than $4.6 billion to improve our roads, bridges, and highways. The state has received more than $134 million to help Michigan communities carry out local and regional road safety projects that will help prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. Michigan has also been awarded more than $2.1 billion to close the digital divide and help households across Michigan afford high-speed internet access. The state received an additional $61 million to install hundreds of miles of new infrastructure to significantly expand internet access throughout rural communities. As of now, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has also delivered more than $204 million for Michigan to replace dangerous lead service lines to help ensure that Michiganders have access to safe drinking water. Michigan has also received about $166 million to improve the resiliency of our state's power grid against extreme weather and help ensure Michigan communities have access to affordable and reliable energy. Peters and Stabenow additionally worked to secure $1 billion in funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - the single-largest investment made to protect the Great Lakes. Since its enactment, Michigan has already received more than $30 million in GLRI funding through the law.

Below are some of the key projects throughout Michigan supported by federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law:

Southeast Michigan

I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project in Detroit: The Michigan Department of Transportation was awarded $104,657,051 to reconstruct I-375 in Detroit to improve safety as well as access to public transit and key economic hubs downtown. The project also seeks to reconnect Paradise Valley and Black Bottom, two historically Black neighborhoods in Detroit that were devastated by the construction of I-375 in the 1950s.

River Raisin Bridge Project: The Michigan Department of Transportation received more than $196 million in federal funding to replace the River Raisin Bridge and revitalize three miles of I-75 corridor in Monroe. This project will also promote travel into Downtown Monroe by reconfiguring existing Front Street and Elm Avenue I-75 interchanges and improving access to the non-motorized River Raisin Heritage Trail.

Detroit Realizing Environmental Changes Happening Around Railroads Generating Equitable Development (RECHARGED): The Michigan Department of Transportation received $67,440,000 to improve and expand capacity of the Livernois Intermodal Facility by installing 17,200 feet of new rail track. The project will also make important site enhancements on at the Livernois Intermodal Facility, including new pavement and replacing aging diesel gantry cranes with new hybrid and fully electric models.

Wolverine Rail Line Enhancement: $8,384,000 was awarded to restore functionality of the historic double-track on Amtrak's Michigan Line between Glenwood Road and Niles in Wayne Township. This project will maximize performance and improve service speed to better serve travelers.

Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (DTW): DTW has received more than $30 million for taxiway reconstruction to support the airport's safety and efficiency. DTW additionally received $49,600,000 for terminal improvements.

Port of Detroit: The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority was awarded $16,030,000 to rehabilitate existing port infrastructure and construct new port infrastructure. It includes creating a new port/rail connection, adding dry bulk cargo handling platforms and a covered warehouse, reconstructing a dock, installing 2 bulk-liquid storage tanks, and constructing an additional berth to facilitate fueling of cargo vessels.

Port of Monroe: The Port of Monroe was awarded $11,051,586 to strengthen and expand the Port's capabilities, including by expanding cargo capacity. This project will increase economic activity for the region and strengthen supply chains.

Joe Louis Greenway: The City of Detroit received $20,704,712 to construct two shared-use paths on Woodmere Street between Fort Street and Vernor Highway and on Dequindre Street between Mack Avenue and Warren Avenue. The paths will connect both areas to the Joe Louis Greenway and Iron Belle Trail System. The greenway will provide an important connection between neighborhoods as well as public transit routes while offering a safe route for bicyclists.

Detroit Safe Streets for All Program: The City of Detroit has been awarded over $50 million through the Safe Streets for All program to prevent roadway deaths along high injury routes in the city, improve safety and bus stop accessibility at 56 high-crash intersections served by the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) bus service, and develop a comprehensive strategy to improve safety along Gratiot Avenue. Safety interventions include sidewalk widening, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) curb ramp updates, high-visibility crosswalks and signal timing improvements.

City of Pontiac's Clinton River Trail: The City of Pontiac received $16,328,000 in federal funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant program, which was funded through the bipartisan infrastructure law. The funding will help reconstruct the deteriorated four-mile corridor along Pike Street, as well as key connecting roads Front Street, Eastway Drive, and Bagley Street. The grant will also help incorporate improved safety measures and traffic operations for greater pedestrian accessibility and will create a pedestrian and bicyclist trail along the former Grand Trunk-Belt Line Railroad that will improve access to public spaces and help support downtown Pontiac's economy.

Oak Park Victoria Park Plaza Bridge: Oak Park received $21,700,000 to reconstruct a walking bridge over I-696 that connects a neighborhood currently divided in half by I-696. Many residents rely on the walking bridge to get to where they need to go. The current walking bridge is over 40 years old and at end of its useful life. The bridge replacement also will address safety problems such as water leaks onto I-696.

Blue Water Bridge: The Michigan Department of Transportation received a $1,806,218 federal grant to go toward the Blue Water Bridge International Smart Freight Corridor project. The Blue Water Bridge is one of the busiest trade crossings in the country. The grant will be used to implement new technologies to reduce freight delays and ensure the efficient movement of goods across the Blue Water Bridge via truck. The Blue Water Bridge also received a $25 million grant to support critical operations.

Expanding Battery Production: $50 million was awarded to Cabot Corporation help build and operate a new plant in Michigan to support the domestic lithium-ion battery supply chain. This project will revitalize, retrofit, and restore a brownfield site in Wayne County, and create good-paying jobs.

Mid-Michigan

Capital Region International Airport: Nearly $14 million has been invested at Capital Region International Airport to support ongoing operations and improve infrastructure, including installation of new passenger boarding bridges and development of warehouse facilities to promote business development.

Improving Rail Crossing Safety in Rural Areas: Michigan State University received $428,133 to conduct research aimed at improving the safety of rural rail crossings. Researchers will utilize Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data provided by the Federal Railroad Administration to analyze rural crossings and develop new approaches for identifying roadway hazards.

EV Charging Stations in Capital Region: The City of Lansing was awarded $8 million to increase publicly available electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. This investment supported up to 50 additional EV charging stations installed across Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties.

West Michigan

Kalamazoo Roadway Upgrades: The City of Kalamazoo received a $25 million investment to rebuild five street segments, helping to create a connected multi-modal transportation network in its downtown area. Kalamazoo was also awarded over $12 million to reconfigure and rebuild major one-way streets as two-way routes downtown to improve roadway efficiency and reduce traffic congestion. This project will also help address the consequences of redlining and boost economic opportunity in Kalamazoo, while increasing safety, mobility, and community connectivity.

Strengthening U.S. Battery Supply Chains: Mitra Chem in Muskegon will receive $100 million to accelerate the domestic production of affordable, high-performance iron-based cathode materials to support the growing domestic battery supply chain for electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and defense applications. This project will create good-paying jobs and help build a domestic battery supply chain that is cleaner, safer, and more affordable.

Bay Region

Lafayette Avenue Bridge Replacement: Bay City received $73 million in funding was invested to replace the 85-year-old Lafayette Avenue bridge. The Lafayette Avenue bridge is a critical linchpin to the transportation network and economy of Michigan's Bay Region but has undergone increasing repairs and closures in recent years that have impacted local residents and businesses. The project will also create a shared-use bicycle and pedestrian path along the new bridge to promote local recreation.

Boosting Michigan's Automotive Advanced Manufacturing Sector: NanoGraf Corporation will receive $60 million to establish an advanced silicon anode manufacturing facility in Flint. This project will strengthen our domestic battery supply chain, boost Michigan's advanced automotive manufacturing industry, and enhance national security.

Bishop International Airport: More than $11 million was awarded to Bishop International Airport in Flint. Projects funded from these investments include rehabilitation of an airport runway, terminal roof replacement, and installation of a runway visual guidance system, improving airport safety.

Northern Michigan

Improving Transportation to Beaver Island: $16,600,000 million was awarded to the Michigan Department of Transportation to construct a new passenger ferry for use between Charlevoix and Beaver Island. The funding will also support necessary dock renovations in both Beaver Island and Charlevoix to accommodate the new vessel.

Huron Subdivision Track & Service Improvement Program: The Lake State Railway Company will receive $27,130,810 to install approximately 52 miles of continuous welded rail between Pinconning and Alpena. Funding will also improve 34 highway-rail crossings and upgrade train signal devices at 13 locations along the route.

Leveraging Ludington: The City of Ludington will receive $16,400,000 to make improvements along a key rail route between Ludington and Grand Rapids, and enhance the Ludington Rail yard to improve efficiency and reliability of safe movement of goods throughout the area.

Cherry Capital Airport: $7,300,000 million was awarded to Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City to replace an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle and upgrade five passenger boarding bridges.

West Bay Shore Drive Revitalization: $14,400,000 million was invested to upgrade 2.2 miles of West Bay Shore Drive in Leelanau County, including new sidewalks and drainage system upgrades. The project will make travel between Leelanau County and Traverse City safer and more efficient.

Upper Peninsula

Updating the Soo Locks: $479 million in funding to was invested to support construction of a new lock at the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie. The new lock would improve efficiency of moving freight throughout the Great Lakes, boosting economic growth across Michigan and the entire country and supporting our national security by strengthening critical supply chains. Previous reports have indicated that if the Soo Locks were to suffer a long closure for any reason, it could lead to a national recession.

Supporting Battery Recycling for Advanced Manufacturing: Revex Technologies Inc. will receive $145 million to strengthen the domestic nickel supply chain and create good-paying clean tech jobs in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This project is a partnership between Revex, a next-generation critical mineral processing company, and Eagle Mine, the only operating U.S. primary nickel mine, to turn battery waste into valuable critical minerals.

Chippewa County International Airport: Nearly $14 million has been awarded to the Chippewa County International Airport in Sault Ste. Marie. This funding has been used to support terminal upgrades, repair runways and taxiways, and help retain staff, improving both efficiency and safety for travelers.

Port of Menominee: More than $21 million was invested to make upgrades to a port operated by KK Integrated Logistics in the City of Menominee. Funding for this project will be used to reconstruct a dock wall along the Menominee Harbor and install rail infrastructure needed to transport freight from the harbor to its customers around the region.

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