Shelby Township has secured a $3 million investment in the State of Michigan’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget to support the reconstruction of the Schoenherr Road bridge, marking a major step toward improving one of the community’s most dangerous roadways.

The funding will help advance the reconstruction of the Clinton River Bridge located just north of 25 Mile Road on Schoenherr Road, a vital north-south route that connects residents, businesses and visitors to neighborhoods, schools, shopping centers and major regional highways while protecting more than $13.1 million in federal funding and an additional $7 million in county and township funds. 

“I want to thank our state representatives, Doug Wozniak and Ron Robinson, for advocating for this critical need as the state was building its 2027 budget,” Shelby Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis said. “Together with the Macomb County Department of Roads, Macomb County Public Works and Utica Community Schools we presented the state with an undeniable solution for a critical need.” 

The bridge reconstruction is a key component of Phase 2 of the Schoenherr Road improvement project between 25 Mile and 26 Mile roads to expand Schoenherr Road from a two-lane road with no shoulders to include a dedicated center turn lane from 23 Mile Road to 26 Mile Road with defined shoulders. The improvements will improve safety, enhance traffic flow and modernize critical infrastructure that serves tens of thousands of motorists each day.

Without state assistance to fund Shelby Township’s share of the bridge replacement, the entire project could have been delayed for years, placing millions of federal dollars at risk while significantly increasing future construction costs.

For years, township officials have identified the corridor as one of Shelby Township’s most pressing infrastructure needs. As the township has grown to nearly 80,000 residents while continuing to attract new commercial and industrial investment, traffic volumes along Schoenherr Road have steadily increased. Much of the roadway, however, was designed decades ago and no longer has the capacity to safely and efficiently handle today’s traffic.

“This was a vital appropriation that allows us to leverage federal matching dollars to help bring this important project to completion,” Wozniak said. “Beyond the funding, this investment will improve safety and quality of life for current residents, support the growing number of families moving into new subdivisions along the east side of Schoenherr, and provide safer travel for the students, parents, and staff at the two schools located along the corridor. This is a significant investment in Shelby Township’s future, and I’m proud to see it moving forward. I am also thankful for the partnership between Shelby Township officials and my office, for their support and work on this request.”

Completion of Phase 1, estimated in 2027, will eliminate the current traffic bottleneck at 23 Mile Road. Without Phase 2, congestion would shift to 25 Mile Road, creating a new bottleneck in a residential area near two Utica Community Schools elementary schools.

The existing roadway is also dangerous for emergency responders. As Shelby Township Police and Fire travel Schoenherr Road to respond to emergencies at nearby neighborhoods, schools, and businesses, the narrow roadway provides no room for motorists to safely yield to emergency vehicles, delaying response times when seconds can make a critical difference.

In addition to improving safety and mobility, the project supports Shelby Township’s long-term residential growth. The township’s final undeveloped sections along the corridor are planned for roughly 800 new homes, helping address the growing demand for housing in Macomb County and throughout Metro Detroit. Without Phase 2 and the bridge replacement, development of those homes could be delayed, limiting the community’s ability to meet future housing needs.

The multijurisdictional project will also improve drainage, modernize underground utilities, enhance stormwater infrastructure and strengthen the corridor’s long-term reliability. By coordinating investments among local, county, state and federal partners, the agencies are delivering a comprehensive infrastructure solution that benefits residents, businesses and the regional economy.

“When I came to Lansing I was determined to fight for critical infrastructure, our local economy, and our public safety. This investment is a massive win on all three fronts,” Robinson said. “The Schoenherr Road bridge is a critical portion of the larger Schoenherr Road project, and this funding brings us significantly closer to delivering a safer and more reliable roadway for everyone who travels through our community.”

Additional information regarding the project’s timeline, and design can be found at www.macombgov.org/departments/department-roads/schoenherr-road-reconstruction.