The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has announced a major investment of $3.1 billion  in transportation infrastructure, aimed at supporting job creation and economic growth in Detroit and Grayling Township. Two Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) grants will provide funding for roadway improvements that will create 478 new jobs and help facilitate private investment in these areas.

The TEDF grants are designed to finance public highway, road, and street projects that are critical to the transportation needs of businesses and communities. By improving accessibility and safety, these projects will support economic development and ensure that businesses can efficiently transport goods and services.

One of the projects receiving funding under the TEDF grant is the “Future of Health: Detroit,” an ambitious initiative led by Henry Ford Health (HFH) in collaboration with the Detroit Pistons and Michigan State University (MSU). This project involves an investment of over $3 billion to transform multiple sites near West Grand Boulevard into a modern medical and research hub.

The development includes a new 1.2 million-square-foot hospital facility, an expanded emergency department, and a 335,000-square-foot research center for the HFH and MSU Health Sciences partnership. Additionally, more than 600 housing units, 33,000 square feet of retail and community space, and new public green spaces will be constructed to support the surrounding community.

To accommodate the increased traffic expected from this development, road improvements will be made to West Grand Boulevard. The median will be modified to add a third travel lane in each direction, crosswalks will be improved, and a new full-service intersection at Trumbull/Lincoln Street will be constructed. These improvements aim to prevent congestion, aid patient access to medical facilities, and ensure that emergency vehicles can get through the area efficiently.

Another key component of this project is the rebuilding of the Holden Street pedestrian bridge, which connects two major medical sites separated by the M-10 freeway. The current bridge is outdated and poses safety concerns, creating a significant detour for employees and patients. The new bridge will provide a safer and more convenient crossing, improving accessibility and connectivity within the medical campus.

The total cost of this project is $10.2 million. The TEDF Category A grant program is providing $8.1 million toward construction costs, while the City of Detroit and MDOT are contributing additional funds to cover non-construction-related expenses.

In Grayling Township, Saab Inc. is making its first major investment in Michigan with the construction of a 140,000-square-foot integration and assembly facility. This facility will support the engineering and production of advanced defense products for the U.S. military, bringing approximately 70 new jobs to the area with a private investment of $75 million.

To accommodate this development, significant road improvements are needed on Industrial Drive, which currently lacks proper access to the site. The Crawford County Road Commission (CCRC) will extend Industrial Drive south to 4 Mile Road, providing a new 4.1-mile roadway that will support increased commercial and heavy truck traffic. This will enable Saab Inc. to transport materials and products safely and efficiently while also improving access for other businesses in the area.

The road improvement project is being funded through multiple sources. The overall cost is estimated at $8 million, with CCRC contributing $3 million, including $2.8 million from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s (MEDC) Build Ready Sites program and an additional $200,000 from Stoops Freightliner-Western Star, a company currently building a new facility along Industrial Drive.

David Shane, Vice President of Operations at Stoops Freightliner-Western Star, also expressed enthusiasm for the project, noting that their new dealership location in Grayling will create 40 additional jobs in the future. 

Enacted in 1987 and reauthorized in 1993, TEDF “Category A” grants provide state funding for public roadway improvements that help road agencies respond quickly to the needs of expanding companies. By eliminating inadequate roadways as barriers to private investment, TEDF grants play an important role in Michigan’s economic development strategy.

For more information about the TEDF program, visit www.Michigan.gov/TEDF.