Michigan Local Rural Transportation Program

The Michigan Local Rural Transportation Program (Rural Task Force Program) provides dedicated funding to rural Michigan counties with a population under 400,000 to invest in essential transportation infrastructure. The program's goal is to improve the condition, safety, and connectivity of rural roads and transit systems, ensuring that local federal-aid networks and all-season corridors support regional economic development and mobility.

Funding eligibility is restricted to projects located within eligible rural counties (78 out of Michigan's 83 counties). Representation and project selection occur through localized Rural Task Forces, which are made up of equal representation from the county road commission, cities and villages under 5,000 in population, and the rural public transit provider.

Eligible projects include both road and transit capital investments. Funding is delivered through two distinct channels: Surface Transportation Program (STP) Rural funds allocated to improve the federal-aid highway system, and Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) Category D funds dedicated to constructing and upgrading all-season road networks. All allocated dollars must be expended within the geographic areas of the respective rural counties.

Agencies seek funding by coordinating with their regional Rural Task Force. Project applications and documentation are submitted using standard MDOT forms, including Form 1618 (Data Sheet for Transit Projects) and Form 1797 (Data Sheet for Road Projects). Prioritized projects are incorporated into the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and regional Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP) in accordance with MDOT's multi-year Call for Projects guidelines.