Mich. grants help local shippers

Mich. grants help local shippers    The state of Michigan said Friday it will invest $13 million in surface transportation projects to support several manufacturing plants in the state. The grants were made available through the Transportation Economic Development Fund.
   There are two projects in Oakland County. One would reconstruct the Silverbell Road bridge over the Grand Trunk Western Railroad, which is in poor condition and restricted to two lanes of traffic and lighter loads. The restrictions negatively impact the ability of a General Motors plant to efficiently transport goods and impedes employee access to the site, the Michigan Department of Transportation said. Further deterioration could also disrupt rail traffic to the plant. GM is spending $800 million to retool the Orion Township facility to make its next generation small car after considering sites in Tennessee and Wisconsin.
   A new roundabout is planned on state route 5 in Commerce Township to alleviate traffic in front of the HoMedics Corp., which has committed to remain in the state and expand its facility. The heavy traffic makes it difficult for westbound freight and employee traffic to exit the factory site.
   A number of resurfacing projects, two bridge replacements and a new turn lane in Allegan County are intended to support increased commercial traffic at furniture manufacturer Haworth Inc., hybrid and electric car battery maker Compact Power and Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions.