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Farmington Hills accepts $325,000 SEMCOG TAP grant to upgrade six school-area crossings
Summary
Farmington Hills accepted a $325,000 Transportation Alternatives Program grant from SEMCOG to fund RRFB beacons, high‑emphasis crosswalks and ADA ramp upgrades at six prioritized school-area crossings; the project carries a roughly $80,000 local match and aims for contractor selection in January 2028 with construction in spring 2028.
Farmington Hills accepted a $325,000 grant from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments’ Transportation Alternatives Program to fund pedestrian safety upgrades at six school-area crossings.
Mayor Rich and city staff said the project responds to resident requests for safer school crossings and aligns with the city master plan. City traffic engineer Nicholas Nasita described the project scope and funding: "SEMCOG has a Transportation Alternatives Program grant...provides 80% funding from the grant with a 20% local match," he said, noting the grant covers roughly $325,000 with a local match of just over $80,000 for a total project cost of just over $400,000.
Nasita said the city prioritized six locations—near Warner Middle School; Farmington at Tulipwood; Drake at Howard; 11 Mile at Homestead; 9 Mile at Windington; and Shiawassee at Tuck Road—based on pedestrian exposure and crash data reviewed with consultant Hubbell, Roth & Clark. Planned improvements include rectangular rapid‑flashing beacons (RRFBs) activated by pedestrian push buttons, high‑emphasis ("piano key") crosswalk markings, and ADA‑compliant ramp and landing upgrades.
A SEMCOG representative described the TAP program as a competitive, regionally administered funding source that has supported about 185 projects regionwide and noted the grant aligns with both the city and SEMCOG safety objectives. Oakland County Commissioner Gwen Markham, a former SEMCOG chair, praised the project’s competitiveness and said the regional review committee vetted proposals closely.
City staff said the city is working to obtain design engineering fees from the consultant and will work with the Road Commission for Oakland County on signal maintenance once the RRFBs are in place. Nasita said staff hope to select a contractor as early as January 2028 and begin construction in spring 2028.
The council accepted a ceremonial check and took a photo with SEMCOG officials during the meeting. The city will cover the local match and manage project delivery through its consultant and public‑works staff.
