It was time to celebrate.  Federal and local officials gathered Aug. 2 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the south half of the Kettering Gateway project.  U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee, D-Flint, Mayor Dayne Walling, Wade-Trim engineering and the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon as workers removed road blocks to open up Miller Road, south of Court Street.  Susan Bolt, Kettering’s vice president for Administration and Finance, represented Kettering at the event.

The completed project will connect I-69 to Kettering University through a more direct route from Hammerberg Road to Chevrolet Avenue. Congressman Kildee secured nearly $1.2 million for this project in last year’s Omnibus Appropriations Act. The project also received approximately $2.3 million in stimulus funds, provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Congressman Kildee strongly supported. It is estimated that the project created approximately 126 jobs.

Bolt said Kettering University is very grateful for the collaboration with federal and local officials that led to the success of the funding and construction of this important project.  “It strengthens the neighborhood around our campus and gives Kettering a stronger ability to be a key business asset here in Flint.  We appreciate the beauty and ‘polished look’ that our visitors will now experience as they leave I-69 and drive past the distinctive buildings of the Valley School, and the many lovely houses and yards they will now pass en route to our University.”

Bolt said Kettering officials are thrilled with how quickly the construction was planned and executed.  “We are grateful and pleased that this large project stayed on schedule.  Prompt completion means this new roadway will be open for two important upcoming events at Kettering – a major admissions open house called Discover Kettering on Saturday, Aug. 14 – that will attract hundreds of visitors to Flint; and the grand opening of the new Innovation Center at Kettering University, which is planned for 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 31.  And that is just the beginning for this gateway that will welcome thousands of visitors to our University in the years to come.”

The Kettering Gateway project eliminates the need to make multiple turns, creating a more direct route to campus.  It also builds on the architectural beauty added a few years ago with the renovation of the bridge on Chevrolet Avenue, she added.

Media coverage following the event included the:

Flint Journal: http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2010/08/first_segment_of_kettering_gat.html

YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt-pXxro1M4]

Flint City Speak: http://flintdawn.blogspot.com/2010/08/south-half-of-kettering-gateway-project.html

Written by Patricia Mroczek and Congressman Kildee staff
810.762.9533
pmroczek@kettering.edu