Brady PieperThe Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is announcing millions in funding to enhance transportation infrastructure and ensure the state is primed for private investments.
The state’s Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) is providing funding for two infrastructure projects to improve public roads and boost economic opportunities in Detroit and Grayling Township. These projects are expected to create nearly 500 jobs and attract $3.1 billion in private investment.
“In 2025, we’re focused on growing our economy, creating jobs for Michiganders and making sure Michigan leads the future of key industries from health care and manufacturing to defense,” Governor Gretchen Witmer said.
Investing in the future, TEDF grants provide state funding for eligible road agencies, such as MDOT, county road commissions, cities and villages, to improve public roadways and catalyze investment into Michigan businesses and communities. The program is a vital tool for transportation agencies to address the expanding needs of local companies and workers.
This round of TEDF grants will emphasize MDOT’s commitment to improving transportation systems and long-term economic viability. Specifically, the grants will support the Future of Health project in Detroit and the construction of infrastructure for a major new manufacturing facility in Grayling.
MDOT will deliver an $8.1 million Category A grant to the City of Detroit to conduct roadwork around the Henry Ford Health (HFH) facility and Michigan State University (MSU) research center. T
The developments are part of the Future of Health: Detroit initiative, which looks to transform a congested area that is bound by West Grand Boulevard, Holden Street, Lincoln Street and Third Avenue into a cutting-edge health care and research hub. The proposed facility, developed in partnership between HFH, MSU and the Detroit Pistons, is anticipated to include a 1.2 million-square-foot hospital, a 335,000-square-foot research center and over 600 new housing units.
The TDEF grant will supplement two crucial aspects of the initiative – roadway improvements to West Grand Boulevard and the reconstruction of a pedestrian bridge on Holden Street.
As development progresses, road improvements will be essential to accommodate the influx of traffic and to connect new facilities with the existing HFH hospital campus. State funding will support the expansion of West Grand Boulevard, including a third travel lane in each direction, to ease traffic congestion and improve emergency vehicle access in the region.
The project will rebuild the aging Holden Street pedestrian bridge, which currently serves as the only non-motorized connection between the new hospital and research center sites. MDOT’s funding will also improve adjacent sidewalks to better connect the HFH campus with surrounding neighborhoods.
The total cost of the roadway improvements is estimated at $10.2 million. In addition to funding from the Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF), the project will receive $1.5 million from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and $521,325 from the City of Detroit for non-construction expenses.
MDOT will award the second TEDF grant for the Crawford County Road Commission (CCRC) to develop supporting infrastructure that integrates Saab, Inc.’s new manufacturing facility in Grayling Township. The project seeks to host Saab’s expanded operations and establish the company as a key partner in northern Michigan.
Overall, Grayling’s project proposes a 140,000-square-foot facility on Industrial Drive that focuses on the engineering and production of cutting-edge products to support the U.S. military, create jobs and attract nearly $75 million in private investment.
The roadwork funded by the TEDF grant will connect Industrial Drive to 4 Mile Road, allowing trucks and other vehicles to reliably access the facility and local businesses. CCRC intends to extend Industrial Drive south from the city limits while rebuilding existing infrastructure to create new access points for commercial traffic.
In addition to supporting Saab’s relocation, the project is poised to benefit neighboring communities and businesses by including a new facility for Stoops Freightliner-Western Star. The improvements are designed to make it easier for heavy truck traffic to reach Interstate 75 without going through downtown Grayling, reducing congestion and increasing safety for commercial and casual drivers.
In total, the road improvement project is anticipated to cost $8 million, with TEDF providing $3 million to the initiative. CCRC will also award $3 million to the initiative, including funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Build Ready Sites Program and Stoops Freightliner-Western Star’s $200,000 contribution.
More information on the state TDEF program, including an annual report and accomplishments for the initiative, can be found on MDOT’s program webpage.
Photo by Robert So
