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"They're federally funded," said Lapeer County Highway Engineer Bill Meinz of the Lapeer County Road Commission. "The match comes from Road Commission funds. Some have a 90percent grant, and 10percent local match; some are funded 80percent with a 20percent match. The project at Washburn Road in Oregon Township is 100percent financed."

The roads qualified for funds because they're high risk areas for accidents.

"They were known to have specific crash patterns that we're trying to correct," Meinz said. "Most of the tree cutting is to protect motorists from running into fixed objects. At most of these locations, there have been severe incapacitating accidents. The frequency is greater that the state averages for death or severe incapacitation. There is a big federal push to help out those areas. People might have a chance to recover, instead of becoming wrapped around a tree and injured or killed."

The safety projects are:

Burlington Twp -- Clifford Road from the east Clifford Village limits to Sharp Road, tree removal, delineator installation, permanent signing upgrades and guardrail installation.

Dryden Twp -- Rochester Road from General Squier Road to Bordman Road, guardrail installation, tree removal, permanent signing upgrades and centerline rumble strip installation.

Elba Twp -- Elba Road at the Davison Road intersection, upgrade overhead flashing beacon, permanent signing upgrades and tree removal.

Hadley Twp -- Hadley Road from the south county line, Sawmill Road, to Stewart Road, tree removal, guardrail installation and permanent signing upgrades.

Imlay Twp -- Doran Road at the Imlay City Road intersection, permanent signing upgrades and tree trimming.

Lapeer Twp