eMacomb - Featured Article, Spring 2017

Innovate Mound is a collaborative effort between Macomb County, the city of Sterling Heights and the city of Warren to transform the 9 miles of Mound Road between I-696 and M-59 into a state-of-the-art corridor. This strip is part of Michigan’s Defense Corridor and is vital for many local businesses.

As determined by a visioning session in December which included more than 70 business and community leaders, targeted design considerations for the project include complete roadway surface reconstruction, widening north of 17 Mile Road, landscaping, lighting, signs, driveway controls, additions of nonmotorized facilities, 10-foot-wide safety path along the bike trail or corridor, connection to trail network, and improvements to transit stops.

Earlier this month, local leaders traveled to Washington D.C. to advocate on behalf of Innovate Mound. The purpose of the trip was to provide influencers and decision makers the opportunity to meet business leaders who rely on Mound Road for everyday operations as well as to deliver details about the planned project.

“Our representation as a united front is critical to the success of this project moving forward,” said Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel. “The cities of Warren and Sterling Heights, together with Macomb County, will have delegates on behalf of the public. We’re pleased to have many key players from our local business community participating as well. We have all the right elements in order, and it is now time to build our personal relationships.”

While in D.C., meetings were scheduled with the Office of Infrastructure Finance and Innovation to discuss TIGER/FASTLANE grants and funding for Defense Access Roads. The group also met with Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Sen. Gary Peters, Rep. Sander Levin and Rep. Paul Mitchell.

For more information about Innovate Mound, visit InnovateMound.org.