Macomb County approves revised road cost‑shares, federal near‑miss grant and related contracts

The Macomb County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a package of road projects, revised cost‑share agreements and related contracts including a federal safety grant and consultant work during its meeting on Feb. 13.

Bridal, Road Department staff, told commissioners the board was being asked to approve several previously presented agreements and contracts covering bridge work, road reconstruction and a federally funded safety study. "This is through Federal Highway Administration for our Safe Streets and Roads for All," Bridal said during the presentation, adding the county sought an implementation path that would use video analytics and other technologies.

The package included: a revised cost‑share agreement for the Hayes Road bridge project over the Clinton River with Sterling Heights and Clinton Township that adds additional pedestrian work that Sterling Heights requested; a revised cost‑share with the City of Warren to include reconstruction work from Mound to Sherwood that had not been included in the original agreement; a contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for the South River Road bridge replacement; a USDOT Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant award and related consultant work to study near‑misses at selected intersections; and a professional services contract for continued interior renovation design work at the county road department administration building.

On the SS4A grant, Bridal said the award includes an 80% federal participation level and the amounts discussed in the presentation. "We were lucky to get a federal grant with an eighty/twenty split, 80% federal funds which is $139,938.65, county match is $28,000," Bridal said. He described the grant as funding a study to identify intersection "near misses" and to develop designs and NEPA documentation that could support future implementation grants. "A lot of AI is involved with video analytics that we're looking at through this grant award," he said, and noted the county had selected AECOM through an RFQ process to perform the work.

Commissioners asked follow‑up questions about scope and timing. Commissioner Goitling asked whether the SS4A work covers trunk lines or more typical county roads; Bridal replied the study locations would be on the county's primary road system under its jurisdiction. Commissioner Zinner asked when South River Road work might start; Bridal said he did not have an exact date immediately but would check with the engineering department. He noted that certain bridge work must respect stream restrictions set by federal and state agencies and that timing can be affected by environmental windows.

Also included in the package was a request to hire the same design firm that completed earlier first‑floor renovations—presented as a $71,500 contract with a $7,000 contingency for additional design work on the second and third floors to cover updated finishes, ADA improvements and potential reconfiguration of office space. Bridal said using the same firm would avoid repeat conceptual design work and deliver cost savings because the firm already has the building layout.

The board approved the combined items as presented. The motion carried 12–0.

Why it matters: the approvals move forward several local road and bridge projects and commit county resources and matching funds to leverage federal grant dollars for data‑driven intersection safety work. The consultant and renovation contracts are intended to keep design work on schedule and to prepare infrastructure for future implementation of safety improvements.

Votes at a glance

- Combined Item 6 (A–F): approved, motion carried 12–0. The combined motion covered revised cost‑share agreements for Hayes Road bridge and a Warren road segment, a MDOT contract for South River Road bridge replacement, acceptance of a USDOT SS4A grant and selection of AECOM for near‑miss analytics, and a $71,500 design contract with contingency for county building renovations. Specific dollar figures mentioned in the meeting: SS4A federal share stated as $139,938.65 and county match stated as $28,000; renovation contract $71,500 with a $7,000 contingency.

Notes: amounts and program descriptions are reported as presented to the board by Road Department staff; the meeting included clarifying discussion about jurisdiction (county primary roads) and environmental timing for bridge work.