LANSING—Senator Mike Prusi (D-Ishpeming) announced today that Luce, Marquette and Menominee Counties have been awarded $830,786 in federal Transportation Enhancement (TE) funding by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). Matching funds add $207,667, creating a total economic investment of more than one million dollars. The grants will be used to expand the shoulder along M-28 near Newberry, construct a trail in Negaunee, purchase 30 bike racks for the Marquette Area Transit Authority’s fleet of buses, and improve and develop the downtown streetscape in Stephenson.

“The Upper Peninsula has always been a great place for recreation, and these projects will make it even more accessible for physical activity,” said Sen. Prusi. “These improvements also bring much-needed jobs and economic investment to our part of the state while increasing the appeal of living above the bridge.”

In Luce County, MDOT will pave an additional two feet of shoulder along the north and south sides of M-28 between M-123, near Newberry, to just east of County Road 393 (Borgstrom Road), a distance of approximately 6.8 miles. This will create a five-foot shoulder for non-motorized use, such as hiking and biking. The total project budget is $148,058, with $118,446 in federal TE funds, and $29,612 in matching funds from MDOT.

Marquette County will receive $452,120 in TE grants for two projects. The city of Negaunee will construct two miles of non-motorized path, connecting the cities of Negaunee and Ishpeming. This path is part of the planned Iron Ore Heritage Area Trail, which will provide access to the area's natural heritage and resources. This trail is intended to connect with the existing and proposed trails to the east in Marquette Township, Marquette, and Chocolay Township, and extend westerly to Republic. The project budget is $500,120, including $400,120 in federal TE funds, and $100,000 in local matching funds from the city of Negaunee.

“As an iron ore miner for over twenty years, I’m very excited about the proposed Iron Ore Heritage Area Trail,” said Prusi. “This grant will provide greater access to our natural beauty and an appreciation of our Upper Peninsula way of life for visitors from all over.” The Marquette Area Transit Authority (MARQTRAN) in Marquette County will pair $13,000 in matching funds with $52,000 in federal funds to purchase and install 30 bike racks on its fleet of buses. By providing accommodations for bicycles, MARQTRAN will provide a link for a nationally recognized network of urban and rural non-motorized pathways as well as promote regional tourism.

The city of Stephenson in Menominee County will streetscape its downtown along Railroad and Menominee streets between Robert Street and Division Street. Improvements will include street lighting, sidewalk replacement, construction of a decorative concrete terrace between the street parking and sidewalk, and installation of new trees, grates, and benches. This project will become a focal point for the city of Stephenson, with maximum visibility for all motorists and pedestrians passing through the central business district from US-41. The total project budget is $325,275, with $260,220 in federal TE funds, and local matching funds of $65,055 from the city of Stephenson.

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 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. All projects will take place during the 2008 construction season.

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Sen. Prusi serves on the Senate Finance, Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs, Judiciary, and Energy Policy & Public Utilities Committees. He represents the 38th Senate District, which includes all Upper Peninsula counties west of Luce County.