Announced on Wednesday by the Michigan Infrastructure Office, the Wolverine State has been awarded over $7 million from the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) grants from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
“In Michigan, we are committed to leading the future of mobility and electrification, building on our reputation as the place that put the world on wheels,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today’s funding will help us advance technological innovations, optimize data, and build on statewide transportation accessibility, safety, and efficiency. Together, we will continue growing our economy and competing for every resource to come home to Michigan.”
"The fact that four Michigan projects received funding – the second-highest number in the country—is a testament to Michigan's innovative approach to transportation solutions,” Zachary Kolodin, Chief Infrastructure Officer for the State of Michigan, said. “Deploying smart tech on our roads and bridges will make getting around safer and movement of goods faster, creating good, high-paying jobs. I want to express our gratitude to Senators Peters and Stabenow for their leadership in securing these essential funds. Their support enables us to implement cutting-edge projects that will significantly improve safety, accessibility, and efficiency for our residents."
The four projects that were selected aim to improve transportation safety, efficiency, and international commerce. The four projects are:
- Detroit will receive $2 million for the Detroit Mobility Optimization through Data for Equity and Safety (Detroit MODES). The project will create smart intersections by leveraging the existing traffic camera network and deploying AI software solutions.
- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will receive approximately $1.3 million for the Advancing Rural Mobility: Michigan Public Transit Open Data Standards Program. This project will make real-time public transit information accessible in rural Michigan.
- MDOT will receive approximately $1.8 million for the Blue Water Bridge International Smart Freight Corridor. This project will improve trade and border crossing efficiency.
- The Road Commission for Oakland County will receive $2 million for V2X Technology in Oakland County. This project will create a framework for deploying C-V2X (cellular vehicle-to-everything) technology in a sustainable manner, enhancing safety and communication between vehicles and infrastructure.
“The US Department of Transportation has made it clear that diversity, equity and inclusion is important by funding the Detroit Mobility Optimization through Data for Equity and Safety (Detroit MODES) project,” said Tim Slusser, Mayor Duggan’s Chief of Mobility Innovation. “Detroit has the country’s highest concentration of Black Americans (80%) for large cities and consistently ranks near the top of major metropolitan areas with the highest rates of traffic fatalities. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to fundamentally change how we approach roadway safety with real-time data driving towards equitable outcomes.”
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Source: MDOT
