Innovate Mound Newsletter – February 2020
The Innovate Mound newsletter is designed to keep you informed about the Innovate Mound project as it moves forward. Located in the cities of Warren and Sterling Heights, Macomb County, the project will reconstruct approximately nine miles of Mound Road between 11 Mile Road and M-59. We invite you to share this information with your friends, neighbors, employees, and 08constituents. We’d also like to hear from you—please contact us with your thoughts, ideas, questions, and concerns.
Road conditions at the intersection of Mound Road and 12 Mile Road.
Transforming Nine Miles of Mound Road
The Innovate Mound project will reconstruct nine miles of Mound Road from I-696 north to M-59 in Macomb County. Additionally, the section from 17 Mile to M-59 will be widened to add a fourth lane in each direction. The initiative was started by Macomb County, the City of Sterling Heights, and the City of Warren in 2016 to develop a plan for renovating the more than 50-year-old, deteriorating roadway. With the support of many local businesses and government officials, the partners were able to secure a federal grant in 2018 to reconstruct the road. Macomb County is leading the Innovate Mound project in partnership with the two municipalities and in coordination with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
In 2019, Macomb County hired the infrastructure design firm HNTB to manage the entire project. HNTB will oversee assessment, planning, and reconstruction for the nine-mile-long project. Construction is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2021 and is projected to be completed in 2024.
This newsletter is designed to introduce you to the Innovate Mound project and keep you informed as it moves forward. We invite you to share it with your friends, neighbors, employees, and constituents. We’d also like to hear from you – please contact us with your thoughts, ideas, questions, and concerns.
An Access Management Workshop was held for local business owners at Hamilton Chevrolet/Price Right in December 2019.
What’s Happening Now: Project Activities in Sterling Heights and Warren
Reconstructing a road is a complex process. Before it can begin, environmental studies must be done, engineering, design, and construction teams must collaborate, plan, and budget while quality control and grant compliance must be monitored. Most of these important activities are invisible to the community, but there will be events happening throughout the year for businesses and residents to learn more about the project. Please stay tuned for upcoming events and consider attending. We welcome your feedback and ideas while we are still in the planning stages. Information about project activities is also being shared regularly through Facebook, Twitter, the project website, and this email newsletter.
Upcoming Event
Please attend the first Innovate Mound community event.
When: Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where: UAW Local 228, 39209 Mound Rd., Sterling Heights, 48310
Condition of Mound Road near the intersection of Chicago Road.
Construction Ahead
At this time, construction on Mound Road is expected to begin in the summer of 2021. Right now, that seems like a long time, but it’s important to complete the necessary set of activities that ensure construction and the final product will be the best that it can be. The benefit of using the pre-construction time wisely will be a project that benefits both residents and businesses and efficiently utilizes the limited transportation funding. You can help us with this research by completing a brief survey.
Why Mound Road?
Q & A with Bryan Santo, Director, Macomb County Department of Roads
Do you have a question about this project that you’d like to ask Bryan? Email us today.
Q: Why are we reconstructing Mound Road?
A: Mound Road is a major roadway that connects people, communities, and commerce. Mound Road is a critical connection between heavily traveled I-696 and M-59, which connect to 1-94 and I-75, two of the longest interstates in the country. On average, 70,000 vehicles travel on the road daily. The Mound Road corridor is home to 71 major employers and thousands of small businesses that depend on reliable roadways. The Innovate Mound project will strengthen the region and enhance connectivity by incorporating state-of-the-art design and smart technology to create a modern corridor that will serve our region well into the future.
Q: Why should businesses and residents support this construction project?
A: Innovate Mound has received unprecedented support from the community, including small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, and community leaders. The Mound Road corridor along with major infrastructure across the state and nation is facing major challenges due to aging condition. The existing infrastructure of Mound Road is more than 30-years-old and has surpassed the average roadway expectancy of 25 years, and is in need of a significant, long-term solution. The Innovate Mound project will rebuild the road and create a world-class corridor that will serve residents, motorists, and businesses for the next 30 years. This is a once in a generation project that the entire community can take pride in.
Community Engagement: We want to talk to you!
Representatives for the Innovate Mound project team have been engaging and meeting with people throughout the area about the impacts and benefits of the project for the community. We have already met with a number of small business owners, community leaders, cultural organizations, homeowner associations, school districts, and community and ecumenical organizations along the corridor, as well as major employers. A list of these organizations is available on the website.
NOW WE WANT TO TALK TO YOU! The project team is exploring improvements that will make the road safer, more effective and easier to travel. If you, your business or organizations are interested in discussing the project, please contact our team.