AASHTO Journal - Michigan DOT Issues $65M to Support Transit Projects

Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) recently announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation be distributing $65 million in awards through the Infrastructure Projects Authority Fund or IPAF to public transportation projects statewide. Michigan DOT will also be creating a new position to help coordinate transit and rail operations.

[Above photo by Michigan DOT]

The Governor’s Office noted that the IPAF was established as part of Michigan’s fiscal year 2026 budget and is supported by the state’s $2 billion Sustainable Road Funding Plan, passed in 2025.

Administered by Michigan DOT, the fund is designed to strengthen existing transit services and advance new or enhanced transit projects across the state. These projects represent the first round of funding, not the entirety of the fund, the agency stressed.

“From rural to urban communities across the state, these investments will help expand vital public transit services and get people where they need to go,” said Gov Whitmer in a statement. “[That funding] will strengthen regional mobility and support innovative transportation solutions, all while helping more Michiganders access jobs, healthcare, education, and opportunity.”

Meantime, the governor noted that the creation of the new transit and rail position within Michigan DOT “will be followed by additional actions to enhance coordination across state government to support transit and multimodal transportation.”

“[We are] pleased to award these new transit investments to agencies across the state,” said Bradley Wieferich, Michigan DOT director.

“These investments … provide much needed assistance to transit agencies working to connect riders to daily essentials, including health care services and jobs,” he said. “Reliable public transportation helps communities thrive. These new transit investments will help us to continue delivering on our mission to serve and connect people, communities, and the economy through transportation.”

“These projects will have a hugely positive impact on the residents in these communities,” added Jean Ruestman, administrator for the Michigan DOT Office of Public Transportation. “We are thrilled to partner with local public transit agencies to make these new and expanded services possible and, ultimately, connect more Michiganders with the places they need to go.”