LANSING – State Representative Mary Valentine (D-Norton Shores) passed a plan to extend federal funding for 17 Michigan road projects under the Local Jobs Today program. Without the legislation, the state would lose the funding for the projects as well as the jobs they would bring to local communities in Michigan.
"My top priority is creating jobs and spurring our local economy," said Valentine, who was the lead sponsor of the plan. "One of the projects is for Maple Island Road in Muskegon County. I'm fighting to keep this funding and bring those jobs to our area."
Ten transportation projects have been designated as high priority and received earmarks in the federal budget as long as those projects are under construction or out for bid by April 4, 2008. Valentine's plan would change that date to September 30, 2008, in order to secure the funding for those projects that were delayed due to unforeseen construction and planning issues. The 10 projects include:
- Trowbridge Road, Wolverine
- E. Beacon Street, Hillsdale
- Michigan Avenue, Grass Lake
- Clinton Street, Albion
- Second Sand Beach Road, Baraga County
- CR 612, Montmorency County
- Maple Island Road, Muskegon County
- Rochester Road., Oakland County
- Imperial Heights Road., Baraga County
- CR 487, Montmorency County
Seven other projects that were delayed due to federal problems with the funding would be granted an extension under Valentine's plan. The roads affected by this delay include: Romeo Plank Road in Macomb County, Crane Road in Barry County, I-75 crossing in Otsego County, CR 492 in Marquette County, H-58 in Alger County, Farm Lane Road in East Lansing and Ann Arbor Trail in Westland.
"These bridge and road projects represent jobs that are sorely needed right now," Valentine said. "We need to ensure that we receive the funding for these projects so we can get our workers back on the job."