LANSING - Today Senate Democratic Leader Mike Prusi (D- Ishpeming) voted to approve a plan that will invest $635 million the state’s economy-including up to $30.8 million for the Upper Peninsula-through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These federal funds will put Michigan workers back on the job, making improvements to roads, bridges, and highways and pouring money back into the state’s struggling economy.

“The Upper Peninsula depends greatly on the quality of its infrastructure for tourism, recreation and economic development,” said Prusi. “These funds will help improve our roads and highways as well as bring much-needed job growth to local communities.”

Funding is determined by a formula used for the distribution of all federal funds. To meet the criteria, Michigan transportation projects must be ready to go within 120 days, be eligible for federal aid, and be approved through the federal aid process. Distribution within the state is determined by population, where the dollars will have the most impact in creating jobs, and where the greatest need for infrastructure improvements exists. The goal is to stimulate economic activity statewide, and to create as many jobs as possible.

With today’s bill passage, $22.1 million was approved for Upper Peninsula infrastructure projects. Some of the approved projects include:

• $4,850,000 for HMA resurfacing with 8’ shoulder at M-64

• $3,525,000 for HMA cold milling and resurfacing on US-2

• $2,150,000 for HMA Roundabout at Front and HMA replacement at Cherry Creek on US-41/M-28

• $2,100,000 for reconstruction on US-2

• $1,998,000 for HMA overlay on US-41

• $1,550,000 for freeway and non-freeway DMS at various locations

• $1,364,000 for installing RWIS stations at 8 locations throughout region

• $911,000 for partial milling, OHMA Overlay and widen shoulders on M-26

• $645,000 for HMA overlay with / Det 7& 8 on US-41

• $549,000 for HMA overlay with detail 7 joint repairs on US-41

• $477,000 for mill and resurface with Det 7 and Det 8 joint repairs on US-41

• $470,000 for HMA overlay on US-41

• $430,000 for a guardrail on M-94

• $400,000 for concrete joint repair on US-41/M-28

• $350,000 for HMA Overlay on US-41

• $350,000 for a center lane for left turns on M-95

If projects are completed within a set time frame, the state will be eligible for an additional $120 million in funding, which combined with the initial investments will create an estimated 25,000 jobs.

These potential U.P. projects could receive an additional $8.7 million for road repairs including:

• $2,370,000 for HMA cold milling and resurfacing and shoulder widening on US-45

• $2,100,000 on HMA shoulder paving for M-28

• $1,800,000 for nonmotorized pathway, pedestrian tunnel and natural plantings on US-41 and M-28

• $894,000 for double chipseal with overband on M-94

• $350,000 for a guardrail on M-26

• $320,000 for microsurface on M-28 bridge

• $300,000 for a guardrail on US-141

• $175,000 for a guardrail for M-48

• $90,000 for 140’ of 36” culvert on M-28

• $90,000 for two 12” storm sewer crossings 80’ each on M-28

• $85,000 for guardrail replacement and maintenance strip paving on M-26

• $80,000 culvert lining on M-26

• $50,000 for slotted drain culvert at K-Mart Intersection in Iron Mountain

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