Garfield Finalizes LaFranier Project

Garfield Township Trustees have agreed to fund up to $400,000 for a major overhaul of La Franier Road. The project is expected to cost $2.2 million, with $1.1 million coming from state funding. The remaining $1.1 million will be divided between the township, Grand Traverse County and the GT County Road Commission. Officials from the three entities met last week and agreed to a three-way equal split.

On Tuesday, the township board approved funding “up to $400,000” for the project in a 7-0 vote. The project will be done in two phases, according to road commission highway engineer Jim Johnson. The first phase, expected to begin this year, involves resurfacing and widening the road from the top of the hill near South Airport Road to Hammond Road. The second phase involves reducing the steep grade of the hill. According to Johnson, the state funding agreement requires that the project be completed by the end of 2015.