MARSHALL — Some Calhoun County roads tied to Ford Motor Co.'s BlueOval Battery Park are getting a $17 million boost from the state.
The Michigan Department of Transportation announced Wednesday it has awarded a state Transportation Economic Development Fund grant to the Calhoun County Road Department for road improvements related to the battery plant project to improve safety, reduce congestion and support 1,700 new jobs and $2.5 billion of private investment in Emmett and Marshall townships.
According to MDOT, the road department projects will include an asphalt overlay, road widening, signal modernization, and the addition of turn lanes to support the park currently under construction in Marshall.
The grant will fund $17 million of the $21.2 million infrastructure investment.
Calls to the road department were not immediately returned Wednesday.
"This project reflects our commitment to providing residents with a modern and efficient transportation infrastructure that meets the needs of today and the future," Brian Kernstock, senior civil engineer for the CCRD, said in a statement. "We are grateful for the support and funding from our grant partners, which make these vital upgrades possible."
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The improvements made possible by this grant will help accommodate increased traffic generated by the BlueOval project, according to MDOT.
"This incredible investment in our community’s roadways will increase safety and improve traffic flow," Jim Durian, CEO of the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance, said in a statement. "This project allows for continued growth of the Marshall Area Jobs, Opportunity and Recreation (MAJOR) Campus, which will be home to Ford’s BlueOval Battery Park Michigan and future businesses, creating local jobs and boosting the local economy."
The grants aim to provide state funding for public roadway improvements to allow road agencies to respond to transportation needs of expanding companies and eliminate inadequate roadways as an obstacle to private investment and job creation.
"This project is a great investment in Marshall Township that will provide our residents, families and neighbors with safe and reliable roads long into the future," Dave Van Arman, Marshall Township treasurer, said in a statement. "We look forward to continuing our partnership with local and state stakeholders on our efforts to be good fiscal stewards of taxpayer dollars."
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: MDOT announces grant for road work supporting BlueOval Battery Park
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