Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance

Yesterday in the Detroit City Council offices I was enthusiastically greeted by the directors of the Public Works department.

“Did you hear?”

“No, hear what?”

The city of Detroit is receiving a $10 million TIGER IV grant for Eastern Market improvements, a Dequindre Cut extension, the Midtown Loop, and bike lanes. The request was for $15 million so some decisions will need to be made regarding how the funding is distributed.

The initial word came via Senator Stabenow’s office. This morning Senator Levin’s office issued this press release:

Levin Welcomes $10 Million Transportation Grant for Detroit Area

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

WASHINGTON – Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., welcomed Tuesday the announcement of a $10 million federal grant to improve transportation connections between major Detroit landmarks.

The grant will help support the city’s Link Detroit project, which is designed to improve connections between major attractions such as the Detroit RiverWalk, Eastern Market and the Downtown and Midtown business districts.

“Today’s announcement is a major boost to plans that will improve residents’ access to key destinations,” Levin said. “It will help generate construction jobs immediately, and more jobs in the future as it spurs development in and around Detroit.”

LINK Detroit includes capital improvements at Eastern Market; plans to link the Dequindre Cut, Hamtramck and Midtown Loop greenways; and reconstruction of the Adelaide, Division and Wilkins Street bridges over the former Grand Trunk Railroad line, all of which are badly in need of repair.

The funding announced Tuesday comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Discretionary Grant Program, commonly known as the TIGER Grant program. The program is designed to invest in road, rail, transit and port projects that meet critical national objectives through a rigorous competitive selection process.