FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: John Truscott
September 24, 1998 (517) 335-6397
Governor John Engler announced today that the Michigan Department of Transportation
(MDOT) and 12 cities and county road commissions have agreed to transfer 120 miles of
local roads to the state.
Calhoun County will turn over almost 40 miles and Marquette County almost 30 miles. The
state will also assume responsibility for some roads in Allegan, Barry, Newaygo, and
Mecosta counties. Cities transferring roads are Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Marshall, White
Cloud, Albion and Springfield.
The 12 road agencies agreed that the particular roads have regional and statewide
significance and therefore have been selected for transfer. These routes will become part
of the state highway system on October 1.
"A primary goal of the rationalization process is to develop a state road system that
will serve as the commercial backbone of Michigan's economy," said Governor Engler.
"With MDOT having responsibility for the high-volume, commercially significant routes
across Michigan, the counties and cities will be better equipped to provide the
appropriate attention and resources to those local roads providing direct access to homes
and property."
"These roads will now be monitored under a pilot study that will give us the
opportunity to address some of the unanswered questions raised early in the process by
local governments," said James DeSana, Director of MDOT. "This pilot will give
us an objective technical framework for evaluating roads to be included on the commercial
backbone system once legislative changes can be made," DeSana said.
The City of Kalamazoo was the first jurisdiction to agree to a road transfer. Over three
miles of South Westnedge Avenue have been transferred. This is a road on the National
Highway System and clearly functions as a state trunkline. Part of the agreement includes
MDOT financing improvements to the road during the 1998 construction season.
Other highlights include the Marquette County transfer of County Roads 553, 460,462 and a
soon to be constructed County Road 460/462 connector that have regional and statewide
significance. County Roads 460 and 462, along with the proposed connector, provide a major
east/west route across K.I. Sawyer Airport between US-41 and County Road 553.
"I am very pleased that we were able to come to these agreements," said DeSana.
"The rationalization of Michigan's highway system provides a unique opportunity for
all road agencies to assess their systems and determine appropriate responsibility. These
negotiated agreements balance statewide economic interests against the jurisdictional
concerns of local road authorities."
The cities and counties will continue to perform routine maintenance on these road
segments under existing contracts. Additionally, MDOT will transfer jurisdiction of over
24 miles of M-20 (12 miles from the east city limits of White Cloud to the east county
line and 12 miles from the east city limits of Freemont to the west city limits of White
Cloud) to Newago County. The list of transferred roads is attached.
For more detailed information, please contact Gary G. Naeyaert, MDOT Communications, at 517-335-3084.
ROADS TRANSFERRED TO MDOT - October 1998
COUNTIES
Allegan County (6.1 miles)
Barry County (10.9 miles)
Calhoun County (39.3 miles)
-- Cooper Avenue from E. Emmett Street to N Drive N
Marquette County (29.4 miles)
Mecosta County (4.0 miles)
Newaygo County (12.6 miles)
CITIES
City of Albion (1.1 miles)
City of Battle Creek (7.2 miles)
City of Kalamazoo (4.7 miles)
City of Marshall (1.6 miles)
City of Springfield (1.5 miles)
City of White Cloud (1.1 miles)