KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The city of Kalamazoo has gotten more than its share of federal funding thanks to the Biden bipartisan infrastructure bill and the American Rescue Plan Act, money that was set aside for local projects.
Thursday a White House official came to Kalamazoo to talk about it as the city celebrated the installation of 5,000 copper replacement lines, to get the lead out of the city’s water system.
Biden senior advisor Tom Perez says Kalamazoo is way ahead of most other communities in replacing lead lines.
He says infrastructure projects may be an inconvenience for motorists, but it will be worth it in the end.
Thursday’s celebration also kicked off the beginning of lead line replacement in the Edison Neighborhood. The plan is to have 1,300 more lines replaced by the end of next year.
Lead lines on the east and north sides were targeted over the last three years.
Mayor Dave Anderson says there are other advantages to being first, it costs less to do it now, given supply chain issues and inflation.
Perez also toured other ongoing projects, and there were plenty to choose from, including work on Westnedge, Whites, Ransom and the recently completed Inkster Street Bridge.
The celebration was held at the Edison Neighborhood Association yesterday afternoon.
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