LANSING, Mich — The Michigan Infrastructure Office Technical Assistance Center (MIO TAC) today announced the Menominee County Road Commission has been awarded a $3,508,800 federal grant to reconstruct County Road 388, a vital roadway serving residents, businesses, and visitors. The grant is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program and is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The road upgrades include widening lanes, adding shoulders, and pavement improvements that will enhance safety, accessibility, and economic opportunities for the communities in Menominee County.
“This grant will directly improve the daily lives of Menominee County residents by making their roads safer and more accessible while supporting local businesses and emergency services,” said MIO TAC Director Kris Brady. “These community-centered improvements are possible thanks to the leadership of Governor Whitmer and her commitment to bringing home federal dollars to Michigan. The MIO TAC is committed to helping communities secure federal funding that will enable them to build stronger, more resilient infrastructure for generations of Michiganders.”
Project highlights include:
- Repaving 9.4 miles of County Road 388 between CR 577 and US-2 to meet all-season standards
- Widening travel lanes to 12 feet and adding 3-foot shoulders
- Installing permanent pavement markings
- Enhancing safety features, such as corrugated centerline rumble strips and superelevation corrections
- Constructing a modernized culvert for stream crossings and the addition of pedestrian-friendly features, such as two at-grade crosswalks and a rail crossing
- Removing seasonal weight restrictions, allowing year-round access for heavy vehicles
By upgrading County Road 388, the project will lower long-term maintenance costs and improve safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Safer and more reliable roadways are essential for supporting industries, improving delivery times, and enhancing the quality of life for residents. These enhancements will directly benefit families, local businesses, and emergency services, ensuring a balanced and sustainable future for Menominee County.
“Thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law I helped pass, we have made important progress to ensure our most rural roadways receive the funding they need to keep their communities moving safely,” said U.S. Senator Gary Peters. “I was proud to support Menominee County Road Commission’s application for this funding, which will make travel safer and more efficient for residents and businesses who rely on County Road 388 year-round.”
Menominee is one of 40 communities and seven state agencies the MIO TAC supported in 2024 in leveraging federal funding opportunities by providing technical assistance, planning, and matching grants to locals, tribal governments, and other eligible entities. The TAC provided the Menominee County Road Commission with consulting services to identify funding opportunities, developed a grant application, and delivered technical services, including a detailed benefit-cost analysis. Because of this assistance, the Menominee County Road Commission successfully secured this grant, demonstrating the power of collaboration in advancing Michigan’s infrastructure goals.
“The Menominee County Road Commission is thrilled to have this transformational federal funding coming to our community and the Upper Peninsula,” said Darrell Cass, managing director of the Menominee County Road Commission. “The funding will provide much-needed road repairs and bring many benefits and opportunities to the surrounding Hermansville and Faithorn areas. We know this would not have been possible without the guidance and grant writing help from the MIO Technical Assistance Center. ”
Since the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Michigan has secured more than $13 billion in federal funding to improve roads, bridges, public transit, water infrastructure, and broadband access. These investments are improving communities across the state by creating good-paying jobs, addressing long-standing inequities, and building resilient infrastructure for generations to come. By leveraging these funds, Michigan is ensuring its residents have access to safer, more connected, and sustainable communities while strengthening the state’s economy and overall well-being.