A reconstruction project for Upton Drive in St. Joseph is in the works. Speaking to city commissioners Monday, St. Joseph City Engineer Tim Zebell said the goal is to fix up the road as Whirlpool works on its tech center and to replace a water main.
“This past August, the city staff requested and the city commission approved pursuing grant funding for two sources toward reconstruction Upton Drive from the St. Joe River to Momany Drive,” Zebell said. “Since that time, we have learned that the Transportation Economic Development funding in the amount of $992,000 has been approved by MDOT. We’re requesting authorization to apply for Economic Development Administration grant funding in the amount of $2.5 million.”
Zebell said the cost of the project has gone up since its first approval by the commission. Back in August, it was just under $5 million, and now it’s more like $6.6 million for all the usual reasons construction costs have risen. Still, he said the work is needed. Commissioners approved Zebell’s request to seek grant funding for the work. The construction is slated for next year.
