Meridian Township and Ingham County Awarded Competitive $11.35 Million BUILD Grant
Meridian Township, in partnership with the Ingham County Road Department (ICRD), has been awarded an $11.35 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to improve transportation infrastructure and support redevelopment in Downtown Okemos.
The award was announced on July 7, 2026, as part of $1.73 billion in federal funding distributed nationwide. Meridian Township’s joint application with ICRD was one of only 127 projects selected from nearly 1,200 submissions.
“Revitalizing our downtown is the Township Board's number one goal, and infrastructure issues have been the greatest roadblock to getting a redevelopment project off the ground," said Meridian Township Supervisor Scott Hendrickson. “This grant will allow us to improve vehicular access to Village of Okemos properties, enhance walkability throughout the area, and create conditions that support high-quality redevelopment consistent with our community's vision."
The grant will fund critical infrastructure improvements along Okemos and Hamilton Roads, including the modernization of that intersection. This intersection is one of the Township's busiest, with more than 30,000 vehicle trips each day. The grant will also provide funding to reconstruct Okemos Road from the new bridge to Grand River Avenue, while Hamilton Road will be reconstructed from Moore Street to Liverance Street.
As part of the project:
- The traffic signal at Okemos and Hamilton Roads will be replaced.
- Okemos Road will be widened at the intersection to add left-turn lanes.
- One of the eastbound lanes on Hamilton Road will be converted to provide a second left-turn lane from westbound Hamilton Road to southbound Okemos Road.
- Non-motorized pedestrian and bicycle pathways will be replaced.
These investments build upon previous infrastructure projects, including the reconstruction of the Okemos Road Bridge, completed by the Ingham County Road Department in 2023.
“Inter-agency partnerships are key to planning, funding, and constructing community infrastructure projects. These improvements to Okemos Road will significantly enhance safety, relieve congestion at one of the region’s busiest intersections, and support long-term redevelopment efforts in Downtown Okemos. We’re committed to delivering infrastructure that strengthens our communities and improves mobility for all who travel through the corridor,” said Jim Patton, Managing Director for Ingham County Road Department.
The modernization of the Okemos and Hamilton Road intersection is a key component to unlocking redevelopment opportunities at the vacant northwest and southwest corners of the intersection. Without left-turn lanes at the intersection, there are limited options in terms of what can be built at the four corners of Downtown Okemos.
“On behalf of the Downtown Development Authority, we are thrilled by this investment from USDOT and the partnership with the Ingham County Road Department. Modernizing the Okemos–Hamilton corridor will finally remove a long‑standing barrier to reinvestment, improve safety and access for everyone, and open the door for high‑quality redevelopment of these key corner properties. This grant is a catalyst that will help transform our downtown into the space the community has envisioned for years,” said DDA Chair Angela Wright.
The Meridian Township Downtown Development Authority contributed the funding for grant-writing services to advance the shared goal of infrastructure improvements and redevelopment in Downtown Okemos.
Later this year, Meridian Township and ICRD will work on retaining an engineering firm to assist with planning, permitting, and design work. In 2027, both entities will work on designing and bidding the project. In 2028, construction from the Okemos Road bridge to Kent Street is anticipated to begin. Construction from Kent Street to Grand River Avenue will be coordinated with the Ingham County Drain Commissioner’s Office in concert with the Okemos Consolidated Drain Project.
The project represents a significant milestone in Meridian Township's long-term vision for a vibrant, accessible, and economically robust Downtown Okemos. The Township will provide updates as the project advances. For more information, please contact Director Amber Clark at clark@meridian.mi.us or 517.853.4568.
To view maps of the new turn movements and construction schedule, visit the links below: