MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - After one of the harshest winters in Michigan's history, local roads have taken a hard hit. Thankfully, the Ingham County Road Department has been hard at work making improvements this summer.

Along with many of the road repairs planned for this summer, a pedestrian bridge is being implemented with enhanced safety and accessibility on the west side of Okemos Road. General sidewalk and pathway damages are being funded by the pathway millage fund and water fund.

Ray Severy, Meridian Township's Director of Public Works and Engineering, says that road funding is not only a problem for the township, but it is present state-wide.

"Our funding for local roads is much better than it used to be, before we had the road millage but we're still only getting probably about half as much or even less than half as much as we should have to be able to do a really good job of maintaining our local roads," Severy said.

Among one the repairs is the widening of Van Atta Bridge, scheduled to be completed in late June.

Meridian Township has decided to forgive the deficit spent last year on road repairs, and thanks to federal aid and funding from Michigan State University new asphalt can be laid on Bennet Road as well as resurfacing of local streets.

Some upcoming projects in the near future include the Marsh Road bridge rehabilitation, resurfacing of Cedar Street, as well as reconstruction of Lake Lansing Road.