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County officials discuss state transportation package, local road projects and need for plan as new funds arrive
Summary
Berrien County commissioners were briefed on a roughly $1.7 billion transportation package and were told county agencies could see an estimated $460 million increase compared to 2023–24; road department staffors cautioned about contractor capacity and asked to be kept in the loop on timing and plans.
County road officials told commissioners the statewide transportation package was roughly "around 1,700,000,000.0" in funding and that "county agencies are expected to receive about $460,000,000 more in funding as compared to what it was in 2023 through '24," according to committee remarks.
Mark (road department) reported continuing hot-mix asphalt pothole patching, mowing and brush clearing, shoulder cutting in subdivision areas, and ongoing resurfacing projects. Work on Cleveland Avenue's trench widening began Oct. 6, and other projects are awaiting power-line relocation by AEP, staff said.
Commissioners asked to be kept informed about how and when the new revenue will arrive and be spent. One commissioner said county staff were directed to treat the funds for now as one-time money and apply it to fund balance while preparing a plan for distribution and use. Road department officials warned the added statewide dollars could increase contractor demand and therefore construction costs: "You can only do so many miles in a year...the cost is gonna go up because these road builders are gonna know that everybody's pretty much vying with their dollars," a commissioner paraphrased.
The road committee also flagged an upcoming resolution for Lincoln Charter Township seeking a TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) grant for a 0.3‑mile nonmotorized trail along Marquette Woods Road to Hidden Pines Drive; that project will be brought before the board in the next meeting for consideration.
Staff committed to provide commissioners with a spending plan and regular updates as state revenue collection schedules and county distributions become clearer.
