M-53 widening project may fall victim to cuts By Edward L. Cardenas / The Detroit News February 24, 2002

Upper Macomb ROMEO -- The promising plan to expand M-53 over the next two years is in doubt because federal funding for the project may not come through. Under President Bush's proposed budget, Michigan could lose $237 million in federal funding. It is unclear how much of that money would be unavailable for road projects and which plans would be affected, but Michigan Department of Transportation officials are mulling over possible scenarios for its upcoming road work.

"Capacity improvement projects such as M-53 may be targeted," said Rob Morosi, Michigan Department of Transportation spokesman. Between 27 1/2 Mile in Washington Township through Romeo to 34 Mile in Bruce Township, M-53 runs one lane north and one lane south. It handles residential traffic to some of the fastest growing communities in Metro Detroit, and commercial and industrial trucks to a number of businesses, including Ford Motor Co.'s Romeo Engine Plant. The heavy traffic volume has contributed to the 18 fatal accidents along M-53 since it opened in 1990.

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