A road that connects Faithorn and Hermansville in Menominee County will be rebuilt thanks to a $3.5 million federal grant.

The grant is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program and funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The County Road 388 upgrades include widening lanes, adding shoulders and pavement improvements that will enhance safety, accessibility and economic opportunities, the Michigan Infrastructure Office Technical Assistance Center stated in a news release.

“The Menominee County Road Commission is thrilled to have this transformational federal funding coming to our community and the Upper Peninsula,” said Darrell Cass, managing director of the Menominee County Road Commission. “The funding will provide much-needed road repairs and bring many benefits and opportunities to the surrounding Hermansville and Faithorn areas. We know this would not have been possible without the guidance and grant writing help from the MIO Technical Assistance Center.”

The project includes —

— Repaving 9.4 miles of CR 388 between CR 577 and U.S. 2 to meet all-season standards.

— Widening travel lanes to 12 feet and adding 3-foot shoulders.

— Installing permanent pavement markings.

— Enhancing safety features, such as corrugated centerline rumble strips and superelevation corrections.

— Constructing a modernized culvert for stream crossings and the addition of pedestrian-friendly features, such as two at-grade crosswalks and a rail crossing.

— Removing seasonal weight restrictions, allowing year-round access for heavy vehicles.

Menominee is among 40 communities and seven state agencies the MIO TAC supported in 2024 in leveraging federal funding opportunities. The TAC provided the Menominee County Road Commission with consulting services to identify funding opportunities, developed a grant application and delivered technical services, including a detailed benefit-cost analysis.

“Thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law I helped pass, we have made important progress to ensure our most rural roadways receive the funding they need to keep their communities moving safely,” said U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan. “I was proud to support Menominee County Road Commission’s application for this funding, which will make travel safer and more efficient for residents and businesses who rely on County Road 388 year-round.”