I-75 Northbound and Southbound Closed the Weekend

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020

 

CONTACT: Rob Morosi, MDOT Office of Communications, [email protected]

 

Road and bridge construction require closing

I-75 this weekend in Oakland County

 

Fast facts:

            – Bridge beam setting and road work requires closing I-75 between M-102 (Eight Mile Road) and I-75 Business Loop (Square Lake Road) this weekend.

            – During the closure, all traffic will be detoured to M-1 (Woodward Avenue).

            – The freeway closure begins at 11 p.m. Friday May 1 and ends by 5 a.m. Monday, May 4.

           

April 30, 2020 — Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) contract crews will be setting bridge beams on Woodward Heights Boulevard and the Harry Avenue pedestrian bridge over I-75 and performing road work this weekend. This will require closing northbound and southbound I-75 between M-102 (Eight Mile Road) and the I-75 Business Loop (Square Lake Road) beginning at 11 p.m. Friday, May 1. Both directions of I-75 are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, May 4.

 

During this closure, northbound I-75 traffic will be detoured via westbound M-102 (Eight Mile Road), northbound M-1 (Woodward Avenue), and eastbound Square Lake Road back to northbound I-75. All northbound entrance ramps to I-75 from M-8 (Davison Freeway) to Adams Road will be closed beginning at 9 p.m. Friday and will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday.

 

Southbound I-75 traffic will be detoured via westbound Square Lake Road, southbound M-1, and eastbound M-102 back to southbound I-75. All entrance ramps to southbound I-75 from M-59 to Nine Mile Road will be closed starting at 9 p.m. Friday and will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday.

 

I-75 ramps that are already closed due to the current construction configuration will remain closed after the freeway opens.

 

Due to the size and complexity of the overpass work, northbound and southbound I-75 are scheduled to be closed an additional weekend in May to set beams on John R. Road and Meyers Avenue. The next closure will be announced when the weekend is determined.

 

Follow I-75 modernization progress on the web at www.Modernize75.com, or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Modernize75 or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Modernize75.

 

ESSENTIAL WORK: This road construction project is an essential function. Transportation workers in the field follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines to limit their risk of getting sick.

Governor Whitmer Takes Significant Step to Make Child Care Affordable

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 29, 2020

Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer Takes Significant Step to Make Child Care Affordable and Accessible for Families

 

LANSING – Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced a $130 million investment to make child care more affordable and accessible for Michigan families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“Child care providers have been critical partners in helping our state respond to COVID-19, and we are extremely grateful for their service,” Governor Whitmer said. “Every child care provider and early educator is important in giving parents some peace of mind while they are delivering essential services to our state at this challenging time.”

 

Michigan has created the “Child Care Relief Fund” to provide direct, non-competitive grants to child care providers. These funds help ensure:

  • Child care providers currently serving essential workers remain open, and costs associated with providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic are not passed on to essential workers.
  • Child care providers can stay afloat during the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” state of emergency.
  • Child care is more affordable to families now, and as our economy begins to reopen.
  • Child care providers across the state have the resources needed to reopen for Michigan’s workforce when the recovery process of the current COVID-19 pandemic begins and more families are in need of child care options.

 

Michigan’s Child Care Relief Fund consists of $100 million in federal CARES Act funding and $30 million from the state’s child care fund, both dedicated to be used only for child care services.

 

Licensed child care centers, family group homes, tribal child care providers, provisional disaster relief child care centers, and subsidized license exempt providers are all eligible for Michigan’s Child Care Relief Fund grants.

 

Grant recipients must commit to reducing their weekly rates for families by at least 10 percent, and provide care for children of essential workers regardless of where their parents or caregivers work. Grant recipients must also agree not to charge a fee to hold a child’s spot in a program while receiving grant funds.

 

“These funds will help sustain high quality child care that is vital for Michigan’s children and families,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “Whether it’s to help child care providers cover fixed costs like their mortgage, utilities, insurance, or payroll, we wanted the funds to be as flexible as possible to meet their specific needs.”

 

The Child Care Relief Fund will be administered by the Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Child Development and Care – with support from the governor’s office and the Michigan Department of Labor and Regulatory Affairs. Beginning April 29, there will be a simple online application for child care providers to use at www.michigan.gov/childcare.

 

Grants start at $1,500 for home-based providers and $3,000 for child care centers. Additional funds will be awarded based on the size of the provider, whether they are open and serving essential workers, and their quality rating.

 

In addition to this grant program, Michigan has also made important changes to the Child Development and Care program, commonly called the child care subsidy.

 

These changes ensure families can access the care they need and providers have some financial certainty. This includes continuing to review and approve applications; increasing the hours school age children can be in care; extending the deadline for re-determinations so families can continue to receive the subsidy during the crisis; and continuing to make subsidy payments based on the number of children enrolled in a program, not the number attending.

 

# # #

 

Governor Whitmer Announces “Future for Frontliners”

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

 

1

 

For Immediate Release: 

April 29, 2020

Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer Announces “Futures for Frontliners, a G.I. Bill Program for Essential Workers

Program Will Provide Tuition-Free Postsecondary Education Opportunities for Essential Workers; Governor Announces Other Initiatives to Protect Workers and Their Families During the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced a series of initiatives to help Michigan workers and their families during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including the “Futures for Frontliners” program to provide a tuition-free pathway to college or a technical certificate to essential workers who don’t have a college degree. This includes workers like the ones staffing our hospitals and nursing homes, stocking the shelves at grocery stores, providing child care to critical infrastructure workers, manufacturing PPE, protecting public safety, picking up trash, or delivering supplies.

 

“The Futures for Frontliners program is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who have risked their lives on the front lines of this crisis. This program will ensure tuition-free college opportunities and give these dedicated Michiganders an opportunity to earn a technical certificate, associate degree or even a bachelor’s degree,” Governor Whitmer said. “I want to assure all of our workers we will never forget those of you who stepped up and sacrificed their own health during this crisis. You’re the reason we’re going to get through this.”

 

The “Futures for Frontliners” program is the first of its kind in the country, and was inspired by the federal government’s support of soldiers returning from World War II by providing educational opportunities. Frontline workers who take advantage of this program will help us reach Governor Whitmer’s goal to increase the number of working-age adults with a technical certificate or college degree from 45% to 60% by 2030.  The Governor stated that she looks forward to working on enacting her proposal with the bipartisan legislative coalition that helped pass Reconnect last month, the program to offer adults over 25 without college degrees tuition-free access to community college.

 

Governor Whitmer also announced that she is expanding the state’s Workshare Program to allow employers to reduce employee hours to receive weekly unemployment insurance (UI) benefits as well as the additional $600 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) weekly benefit. Both benefits will be funded through federal dollars. Through July, the program can act as supplemental pay for critical infrastructure workers by allowing them to collect the extra $600 per week.

 

Governor Whitmer also called on leaders in Congress to support Sen. Gary Peters’ Heroes Fund to provide hazard pay for frontline workers putting their lives on the line to ensure access to life-saving care, food, and other critical services during the pandemic. It is estimated that more than three million of these essential workers are currently on the job in Michigan. Supported by Sens. Stabenow and Peters, the Heroes Fund proposal would provide these workers with an additional $13 per hour, up to $25,000, with an additional potential recruitment incentive of up to $15,000 for essential medical workers.

 

“No Michigander should have to worry about how to feed their family or pay rent during a crisis. And no Michigander should be scared to go to work,” said Governor Whitmer. “From the beginning, my team and I have been working around the clock to solve those problems for working families. And I will continue to fight for our working people long after this crisis is over.”

 

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Governor Whitmer Holds Coronavirus Briefing

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Latest News

Governor Whitmer announces “Futures for Frontliners,” a G.I. bill program for essential workers

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a series of initiatives to help Michigan workers and their families during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including the “Futures for Frontliners” program to provide a tuition-free pathway to college or a technical certificate to essential workers who don’t have a college degree.

Governor Whitmer takes significant step to make child care affordable and accessible for families

Michigan has created the “Child Care Relief Fund” to provide direct, non-competitive grants to child care providers. The Child Care Relief Fund consists of $100 million in federal CARES Act funding and $30 million from the state’s child care fund, both dedicated to be used only for child care services.

MDHHS develops resource guide to support family well-being during COVID-19 emergency

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Take Action – How You Can Help

Virtual Food Drive

MDHHS and the Food Bank Council are asking Michigan residents to make monetary donations on the virtual food drive website to help Michiganders access food during this time.

Volunteer & Donation Opportunities

You can make a difference to fight and slow the spread of COVID-19. Your time, talent and donations will have an impact now.


Resources

Mental Health Resources

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Social Media Images and Messaging

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DNR Updates Opening Dates

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– DNR News –

April 29, 2020

Media contact: Ron Olson, 517-243-1477
Public inquiries: DNR-ParksAndRecreation@Michigan.gov

DNR updates opening dates and modifications for public outdoor recreation sites

Under updated EO, most state parks, trail and boating access sites are open for local use; campgrounds, other lodging, shelters to open in phases

To help slow the spread of the coronavirus and carry out Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s extended “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order through May 15, the Department of Natural Resources has updated expected opening dates and available amenities at many of its public outdoor recreation sites and facilities.

Most state parks and recreation areas and state-managed trails and boating access sites remain open to provide local opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, but social distancing is key. Federal and state health officials consistently have said that keeping at least 6 feet away from those outside your household is vital to containing the virus spread.

Proposed facility reopening dates are based on the updated stay-at-home executive order that ends May 15 and are staggered to allow for proper preparation. Details on closures and changes in services, as well as frequently asked questions, are available on the DNR’s COVID-19 response webpage at Michigan.gov/DNR.

The changes and planned public opening dates include the following, but further changes to the EO could affect these plans:

Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division, said he and his staff are eager to welcome back campers and visitors, but proper safety precautions and maintenance work must happen first.

“We know millions of residents are eager to return to state parks and recreation areas, and we will be here to serve them and make their visits as enjoyable as possible, but we have to open the right way and be certain that facilities and sites are clean, safe and ready to accommodate everyone,” Olson said.

Prep time needed to get facilities ready

To prepare state-managed parks, trails and boating facilities, many important tasks must be completed once nonessential work is permitted. The department anticipates staff can start work May 15 once the stay-at-home order is lifted; prep work is expected to take roughly five weeks. Duties include:

  • Acquiring drinking water permits from county health departments.
  • Opening bathrooms.
  • Hiring and training seasonal staff.
  • Ensuring sanitation systems are running efficiently.
  • Making progress on infrastructure needs.
  • Other operational duties.

Camping, overnight lodging and shelters set to open June 22

Camping and overnight lodging reservations for dates between May 15 and June 21 have been canceled, but the following reimbursement options are available:

  • Request to change reservation dates to later in the season (pending availability within the reservation booking window) and earn a free night for that time period. No reservation fees or cancellation/modification fees will be charged. Reservation holders who want this option must contact the call center at 800-447-2757 by May 15 at 8 p.m.
  • Choose a full refund to automatically be applied to original payment method, including the reservation fee. Reservation holders DO NOT need to take any action; all remaining reservations will automatically be canceled after May 15, and an email will be sent when the refund is completed. No cancellation/modification fees will be charged.

In addition, reservation holders whose camping reservations for stays between March 23 and May 15 were canceled due to COVID-19 are eligible for a free night of camping on reservations made later in the season. Those who want to make a reservation or have already booked one for a later date should call 800-447-2757 by May 15 at 8 p.m. and have their canceled booking number handy.

Please note: Reservations extending beyond June 21 will be changed to a June 22 arrival date and canceled nights will automatically be refunded to the original payment method.

Shelter reservations between May 15 and June 21 will automatically be canceled. Reservation holders for those dates will receive full refunds to the original payment method, including the reservation fee paid at the time reservations were made. No cancellation/modification fees will be charged.

Questions can be directed to the reservation call center at 800-447-2757.

State forest campgrounds and DNR-operated harbors set to open June 10

The DNR will extend closures in state forest campgrounds and DNR-operated harbors through at least June 9, allowing for additional time to prepare for public reopening.

Reservations for dates between May 15 and June 9 will automatically be canceled after May 15 for a full refund to the original payment method, unless a customer calls the call center at 800-447-2757 by May 15 at 8 p.m. to request a reservation be changed to a later date as outlined above (including one free night).

Boating access sites – availability and safety

DNR-managed boating access sites that already were open for the season and remained open during the stay-at-home order will remain open. The addition of various amenities, such as the placement of courtesy piers and the reopening of bathrooms at boating access sites, will begin as staff time and maintenance schedules allow.

The most recent stay-at-home order specifies that boating (including motorized) is now allowed, but people from different households are strongly encouraged to practice social distancing and stay at least 6 feet apart.

Other operational announcements

  • Bathroom buildings and hand-washing stations are closed through at least June 3, although those facilities associated with campgrounds will remain closed until the campground opens. Trash service also has been halted during the same time frame; please leave the sites as you found them. Bring bags to carry out any trash with you.
  • Dispersed camping on approved state-managed lands is not permitted until at least May 15.
  • Due to the extended stay-at-home order and operational functions associated with starting the season, the tentative opening date at Silver Lake State Park ORV Area in Oceana County is Wednesday, June 3. Staff is scheduled to return May 15 and the prep work is anticipated to take about three weeks. Read full press release.
  • In order to minimize face-to-face interactions and the exchange of money, the Recreation Passport requirement for vehicle entry to state parks and recreation areas, state forest campgrounds and state-managed boating access sites has been suspended until at least two weeks after the stay-at-home order ends.

/Note to editors: Accompanying images from Michigan state parks and state forest campgrounds are available below for download./

Big Bear Lake State Forest Campground lakeview (Otsego County)

Otsego Lake State Park campers (Otsego County)

Interlochen State Park family (Grand Traverse County)

Interlochen State Park boating and fishing (Grand Traverse County)

DNR COVID-19 RESPONSE: For details on affected DNR facilities and services, visit this webpage. Follow state actions and guidelines at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.