Sen. Hardiman announces West Michigan to receive $89 million for stimulus transportation projects
LANSING – March 20, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Sen. Bill Hardiman today announced that West Michigan will receive $30 million more in federal stimulus funds than was first announced by the governor earlier this year.
Hardiman, chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, said West Michigan would have received only $59 million under the first proposal, but the region has now been allocated a more equitable $89 million.
“West Michigan deserves its fair share of the transportation stimulus dollars,” said Hardiman, R-Kentwood. “I questioned the governor’s first plan for the federal funds because I wanted to make sure that the Grand Rapids area received a fair amount of those dollars.”
Michigan will receive $847 million in federal stimulus dollars for state and local transportation projects across the state through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. A major repair and reconstruction project on I-196 in Kent County has been allocated $41 million.
“I appreciate MDOT’s response to this important issue. I worked with the director and MDOT staff to ensure the Grand Rapids region received funding in line with our population,” Hardiman said. “The money will help fix area roadways that are in desperate need of repairs.”
The state House approved legislation approving the funds Wednesday while the Senate is likely to take up the measure next week.
