Stabenow, Peters Announce Over $19 Million Federal Grant for Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians to Modernize, Reconstruct Critical Roadways

SAULT STE MARIE, MI – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) today announced that the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians will receive $19,781,404 to reconstruct and modernize Shunk Road Corridor, a critical roadway that connects tribal and community members throughout the region to essential services. The segment of Shunk Road affected by this project includes reservation lands of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and serves as an access road to many tribal facilities. The grant, which is administered through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program, will help improve safety for motorists, expand access to essential Tribal resources, and establish additional non-motorized, nature trails for recreation. Senators Peters and Stabenow helped enact the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law last year, which included funding that made this grant possible.

“Greater investments in Michigan and our nation’s infrastructure are long overdue. I applaud these critical road improvements to improve public safety and expand access to outdoor recreation and essential tribal services,” said Senator Stabenow.

“Investing in infrastructure will not only ensure residents and families can get around safely and efficiently, it will help our communities rebuild in a way that promotes long-term growth and resiliency,” said Senator Peters, who wrote a letter of support for the project to Department of Transportation Secretary Buttigieg. “That’s why I was proud to help secure this grant, which will help the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians upgrade roadways that are critical to their Tribe and economic success, while increasing access to the breathtaking nature our state has to offer.”

“This $19.8 million federal investment will help build the safer, greener roads and trails that our tribe and city deserve: saving lives, easing commutes, and bringing communities closer together,” said Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians Transportation Planner Wendy Hoffman. “It was my privilege to help secure this transformative funding, and I will continue to work diligently with federal, state and local partners to achieve our ‘Vision Zero,’ ending traffic fatalities and providing connectivity.

More information on the Department of Transportation grant program can be found at:https://www.transportation.gov/RAISEgrants/about.

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