Wayne County OKs townships’ road resurfacing IGAs and MDOT-funded trail projects
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Summary
The committee approved intergovernmental agreements to fund township road resurfacing and MDOT-funded pedestrian/cycling paths, including a shared-use path through Benoit Dorsey Park and a culvert replacement in Sumter Township.
Wayne County’s Public Services Committee approved two intergovernmental agreements to advance township road resurfacing and accepted MDOT-funded transportation projects that include a shared-use path and culvert replacement.
The committee approved IGAs enabling county matching funds for township projects and authorized transfer of MDOT earmarked funds for non-motorized infrastructure.
Why it matters: The actions unlock local road resurfacing projects and active‑transportation improvements that county staff say will begin construction in spring, improving road conditions and expanding trail connectivity along the Lower Rouge Greenway.
Key items and funding: Alan Cole, assistant division director of engineering, described two township IGAs under the county’s local partnering initiative. For Grosse Hill Township, staff said the county match is "up to $1,000,000" with a township match required; for the Charter Township of Brownstown the staff presentation said each partner will contribute $1,000,000. Cole told commissioners the target start for construction is spring.
On state-funded projects, staff said MDOT will transfer earmarked funds to county-managed IGAs: a non-motorized path along Palmer Road over I‑275 in Canton Township (100% state funded with MDOT holding the contract) and a culvert replacement along Willow Road over the Desbrow Drain in Sumter Township, where MDOT is covering $456,000 and the county $397,000.
Parks and trail connections: Elizabeth Isler, Wayne County Parks chief of planning, described a roughly one‑mile shared‑use path in Benoit Dorsey Park that will tie into the Lower Rouge Greenway and nearby water‑trail amenities. Isler said multiuse paths are typically undivided unless they are exceptionally wide.
What comes next: Staff will transmit signed IGAs as they are returned by townships and proceed with engineering assignments; the county expects to reimburse township invoices within about 30 days upon receipt of eligible documentation, per the presentation.
