LANSING, Mich. - State Representative Dudley Spade (D-Tipton) today announced that funding has been approved funding for six new bridge repair projects in Lenawee County as part of the State of Michigan's Local Roads Program.
The program, which is designed to help fund the repair and replacement of critical bridges on locally owned and maintained streets throughout the State of Michigan, has targeted the following Lenawee County bridges:
- Bucholtz Highway over Raisin River
- Downing Highway over Little River Raisin
- Grosvenor Highway over Swamp Raisin Drain
- Hoagland Highway over Little River Raisin
- Laberdee Road over River Raisin
- Lyons Highway over South Branch River Raisin
"I commend the local municipalities governing these bridges for their efforts in working with the State to secure funding for these necessary repairs," Spade said. "I have heard from people throughout the district, as I am sure local government officials have, that our bridges are in need of repair. I certainly agree with them and have taken their concerns to heart. I am pleased that the State of Michigan has now recognized this problem too and is taking an active role in helping our local communities to fund these much needed bridge projects."
The Local Bridge Program, formerly called the Critical Bridge Program, is funded with state and federal funds, and a 5 percent match by local communities. Local governments that own the bridges must submit design plans and documents to be considered for the funding, which is allocated each year on a first-come, first-served basis to each region. These new bridge projects are part of 137 repair and rehabilitation projects for city-and county-owned bridges in 54 Michigan counties that total $62 million in additional investments throughout Michigan. The local bridge grants follow the recent announcement of the state's $8.9 billion road and bridge investment levels for the next five years and the acceleration of $618 million to fund 158 transportation construction projects in 2006 and 2007 as part of the Governor's Jobs Today initiative.
To be eligible for Local Bridge Program funds, county- or city-owned bridges must be in pressing need of repair or need a new design to meet motorists' needs. Applications are rated by each region's Regional Bridge Council and approved by an eight-member Local Advisory Board comprised of representatives of the 83 county road commissions, municipal street agencies and MDOT, which has two non-voting members. In rating the applications, the Regional Bridge Councils consider the condition of the bridges, their importance to the street or road network, and the local agency's ability to finance its share of construction. This collaborative working relationship allows local agencies more control of the Local Bridge Program.
Regional bridge councils receive applications, and meet to assign discretionary points and to create or modify their three-year bridge program. In November, the Local Bridge Advisory Board meets to discuss the final ratings and each region's three-year bridge program. Local agencies have until June 1 each year to update conditions of bridges not on the approved list or to submit information about new bridges for consideration. Since the program began in 1973, it has helped to rehabilitate or repair approximately 27 percent of the more than 6,700 bridges on local roads and streets.
"These bridge repairs are critical to ensuring that both people and goods can move freely and safely throughout the area," Spade said. "This is an investment in the people of Lenawee County and in our economy and will help ensure the continued growth and success of our community."