MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Today, the Macomb County Department of Roads (MCDR) announced Innovate Mound 201, a virtual information week that includes various opportunities for the public to learn more about the Innovate Mound project. The public is invited to attend virtual public meetings scheduled for Tuesday, November 10 and Thursday, November 12. MCDR personnel and the Innovate Mound project team will share updated details on the project and provide opportunities for the public to ask questions or provide comments. Innovate Mound 201 is the second installment of community outreach to engage the public in the ongoing project.
Virtual Public Meeting #1
Tuesday, November 10, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/91532498886
Dial: 312-626-6799
Webinar ID: 915 3249 8886
Virtual Public Meeting #2
Thursday, November 12, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/95246088849
Dial: 312-626-6799
Webinar ID: 952 4608 8849
Sterling Heights and Warren residents will also be able to learn more about the project beginning Monday, October 19 during a special 30-minute television segment titled “The Innovate Mound Project: Future Driven.” The segment will air at various scheduled dates and times on Sterling Heights TV and TV-Warren leading up to Innovate Mound 201 through Friday, November 13.
The Innovate Mound project will reconstruct nine miles of Mound Road between 11 Mile Road and M-59 in Macomb County. The section from 17 Mile Road to M-59 will be widened to add a fourth lane in each direction. The cost of the project is estimated to be $217 million. Construction is expected to start in summer 2021 with a projected completion in 2024.
“Mound Road is one of the country’s most densely populated manufacturing corridors and is leading the way in new technologies for the defense and automotive industries,” said Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel. “We have engaged numerous partners and local stakeholders to help us make Mound Road an unrivaled smart technology corridor. I encourage the public to learn more about this unique project.”
In 2019, more than 47,000 people were employed along Mound Road, which supported an additional 71,100 jobs in Macomb County. Another 101,000 jobs in Michigan are supported by the corridor’s business activity. Combined, $8.7 billion in wages and benefits are paid to more than 118,000 employees in Macomb County.
“Sterling Heights residents and the motoring public have something exceptional to look forward to with the Innovate Mound project. We are turning this corridor that is vital to our regional economy into the most ground-breaking corridor in the state,” said Sterling Heights Mayor Michael C. Taylor. “Innovate Mound 201 will showcase these improvements and bring the public important details on what they can expect.”
Macomb County is leading the project in partnership with the cities of Warren and Sterling Heights in coordination with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
“Innovate Mound Project demonstrates what cities working in partnership with Macomb County government can do to further enhance our transportation roadways through a combination of collaboration and cooperation,” said Warren Mayor Jim Fouts. “With both Sterling Heights and Warren working together with Macomb County, there is nothing too big or too small that we cannot achieve together. This innovative project will only help to increase the likelihood of new businesses cropping up along Mound Road. I’m proud to be a partner in this partnership."
This project was made possible by a partnership of local businesses and government officials who were able to secure an Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2018.
“Mound Road is arguably one of the most important corridors in Southeast Michigan that connects people, communities and commerce,” said Bryan Santo, Director of the Macomb County Department of Roads. “The vision behind this effort is a high quality, long-lasting roadway that incorporates the future of mobility and technology.”
Macomb County hired the infrastructure design firm HNTB to manage the project in 2019. State-of-the-art improvements will include unified lighting, improved pedestrian access, non-motorized multi-use paths, traffic flow improvements and more. For project details, information and a complete list of enhancements, visit innovatemound.org.
The public is invited to call 1-855-MOUND-4U (1-855-668-6348) or email info@innovatemound.org to share ideas or schedule a time to talk with the Innovate Mound project team. With advance notice of seven days, accommodations can be made for persons with disabilities and/or limited English-speaking ability, and persons needing auxiliary aids or services of interpreters, signers, readers or large print. Please call Nate Ford at 313-230-1014.
Media Contact
Eric Dimoff
586-840-1759
edimoff@rcmcweb.org
