Six crosswalks in Farmington Hills will get flashing pedestrian beacons after the city secured a $325,000 federal grant through the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments.

SEMCOG presented the check at the Monday, July 13 City Council meeting, recognizing Farmington Hills as a recipient of its Transportation Alternatives Program. The money will pay for Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, the bright yellow lights that activate when a pedestrian pushes a button, at locations that currently lack signal lights and see between 2,800 and 14,600 vehicles per day.

The six sites are:

  • 14 Mile Road east of M-10, at Warner Middle School
  • Farmington Road at Tulipwood Road, near STEAM Academy and the Farmington Family YMCA
  • Drake Road at Howard Road, near Hillside Elementary
  • 11 Mile Road at Old Homestead Drive
  • 9 Mile Road at Wittington Street
  • Shiawassee Street at Tuck Road, near Visions Unlimited

The grant is competitive. SEMCOG distributes roughly $10 million in federal Transportation Alternatives funds to local projects each fiscal year, and its Regional Review Committee evaluated the Farmington Hills proposal on safety benefits and planning work before approving it.

SEMCOG Executive Director Amy O'Leary called the Farmington Hills project part of Safe Streets Now, a quick-build initiative focused on pedestrian safety. She said the city's planning work made it a straightforward choice for the committee.

Mayor Theresa Rich called the grant a product of regional collaboration with SEMCOG.

Traffic Engineer Nick Nicita said the award aligns with the city's pedestrian safety goals. Jacob Rushlow, Director of Public Services, whose department oversees the crosswalk project, told C&G Newspapers the funding will improve pedestrian visibility at the six locations.

Construction will begin in 2028, when the federal funding becomes available to the city, according to a city news release. The 9 Mile and Wittington location will also receive sidewalk improvements in addition to the beacon.

The city first announced the grant in January 2026 and listed pedestrian safety as a formal 2026 goal at a February 11 council study session, where Acting City Manager Karen Mondora referenced the project.

No timeline for design or bidding has been announced. Meeting schedules and project updates are posted at fhgov.com.