IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County Road Commission has received a conditional commitment of $872,680 in federal funds for a project to widen portions of Pine Mountain Road and Westwood Avenue.

The funding for paved shoulders for construction of bike lanes comes through the Transportation Alternatives Program. It’s part of $11 million in TAP funding commitments announced Wednesday by the Michigan Department of Transportation.

TAP is a competitive grant program that funds specific transportation projects — like separated pathways, pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, bike lanes and other facilities — that improve vulnerable road user safety.

Elsewhere in the Upper Peninsula, the city of Escanaba is eligible for grants of $952,811 and $151,416 for transportation and safety improvements on the U.S. 2/U.S. 41/M-35 corridor.

“The TAP, including its Safe Routes to School category, truly delivers on MDOT’s strategic vision seeking original and innovative projects and investing in mobility options that improve Michiganders’ quality of life,” State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich said in a news release. “TAP receives modest funding to address large-scale public health and safety concerns, enhance local and regional economic development and provide citizens with alternative mobility options.” 

MDOT partners with a variety of agencies to include county road commissions, cities and villages to facilitate TAP grant applications. MDOT reserves the funds being committed subject to applicants meeting certain requirements for implementation, according to the news release.