DNR Events – August 2022
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DNR Events – August 2022
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Find your favorite people and come explore the great outdoors, learn new skills and make memories that will last a lifetime with Lodge and Learn at the 
As you travel around the state this summer, don’t miss out on experiencing our state’s past at the Michigan History Center’s 
Looking for something fun for the family to do – or a chance to learn more about Michigan’s outdoors – in Detroit? Check out some of these upcoming events at the DNR 
One bridge bundling project wraps up, others starting
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2022 Dan Weingarten
906-250-4809
[email protected]
One bridge bundling project wraps up, others starting
Fast facts:
– The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) bridge bundling pilot project is moving forward, with a Livingston County bridge completion last week and the final five projects starting this month.
– The pilot currently encompasses major improvements to 19 locally owned bridges in 2022.
– MDOT expects the bridge bundling pilot project, which covers several projects under one contract, to streamline coordination and permitting, increase economies of scale, and improve bridge conditions on local routes.
– MDOT’s online dashboard at Michigan.gov/BridgeBundling allows the public to track progress on the projects.
LANSING, Mich. – This month is a busy one for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) bridge bundling pilot project, with repairs on the final five bridges included in the program scheduled to begin.
Seven local agency bridge bundling projects are now largely finished, with work on seven others nearing completion. Two more projects are starting today, with the final three set to begin later this month.
The Mason Road bridge over the south branch of the Shiawassee River in Livingston County was the most recent bridge to be repaired. While bridge work finished on Thursday, the road will not reopen to traffic immediately. MDOT and Livingston County have collaborated, allowing the county road commission to take advantage of the bridge closure to start a road project. The road and bridge will remain closed until around Oct. 1, when the county’s project is completed. Delaying the reopening, at the county’s request, will reduce inconvenience for stakeholders by condensing two potential closures into one tighter timeframe.
Steve Wasylk, managing director of the Livingston County Road Commission, said Mason Road is a vital connector for numerous areas in the county. It also serves as an alternate route if I-96 is closed for any reason, making the condition of the bridge very important.
“Prior to construction, we had reduced loading on the bridge and numerous holes in the deck,” Wasylk said. “Having this bridge included in the Bridge Bundling Pilot was a tremendous benefit to be able fix the bridge with no impacts to our budget.”
Livingston County has another bridge in the program, on Iosco Road, scheduled to be repaired starting Aug. 15. While not as highly traveled as Mason Road, Wasylk said it’s another important connection.
All of the bridges encompassed by the bridge bundling program will be completed and reopened to traffic within 60 or 90 days from the start of repairs, with the exception of Mason Road. The remaining bridges, along with scheduled start dates and contracted length of the project, are:
Lenawee County: Sand Creek Highway (Aug. 1, 90 days)
Livingston County: Iosco Road (Aug. 15, 60 days)
Luce County: Dollarville Road (Aug. 1, 60 days)
Macomb County: 26 Mile Road (August 15, 90 days)
St. Joseph County: Nottawa Road (Aug. 29, 90 days)
This year’s bridge bundling pilot project, the first of its kind in Michigan, is repairing 19 bridges in serious or critical condition that are owned by local agencies. Each bridge will have its superstructure replaced, which includes full removal and replacement of the bridge deck and supporting beams.
Adam Newton, project engineer for the Macomb County Department of Roads (MCDR), said “the bridge bundling program was a great resource for the department as it strives for a sustainable balance of bridge replacement, improvements and preventive maintenance to limit the number of bridges that slip into poor, serious or critical condition.”
“Having a few of the bridge superstructures that are in critical condition replaced within the bridge bundle pilot project has given the MCDR an opportunity to focus on implementing a mix of fixes for the remainder of our bridge inventory with traditional resources and funding,” Newton said.
Macomb County has three bridges, including 26 Mile Road, with repairs starting Aug. 15, in the pilot program.
The pilot project is funded by federal Highway Improvement Program (HIP) dollars. MDOT bridge staff and consultants are doing preliminary design and construction administration work for the bridge bundling program.
An online dashboard at Michigan.gov/BridgeBundling
The pilot program is only the first phase of the bridge bundling initiative with $196 million in federal COVID relief funds appropriated by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Legislature will allow the state to execute Phase II of the bridge bundling program, beginning later this year, to address 59 more bridges.
A list of the Phase II bridges, which were prioritized based on regional mobility and safety, is available here. Phase II focuses on closed and load-posted bridges. Some will be permanently removed while others will be fully replaced.
MDOT expects bridge bundling, which covers several bridge locations under one contract, to streamline coordination and permitting, increase economies of scale, and improve bridge conditions on local routes around the state. MDOT is working to expand the approach, already in use on state trunkline projects, to address locally owned bridges.
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The Mason Road bridge over the south branch of the Shiawassee River in Livingston County is shown under construction earlier this summer. The bridge, one of 19 to be repaired under the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) bridge bundling pilot project, was completed last week. (Photo courtesy of RS&H)
The Mason Road bridge over the south branch of the Shiawassee River in Livingston County, one of 19 to be repaired under the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) bridge bundling pilot project, was completed last week. The bridge will remain closed to traffic until October, at the county’s request, while a county road project is under way. (Photo courtesy of RS&H)
MIHealthyLife will strengthen health care coverage
Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 29, 2022 CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, WheatonB@ MIHealthyLife will strengthen health care coverage for Michiganders MDHHS wants to hear from the public on improving Medicaid prior to LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is announcing MIHealthyLife, an initiative to strengthen Medicaid coverage by seeking public input as the department rebids its Medicaid health plan contracts. “Under the banner of MIHealthyLife, MDHHS seeks to bring together the investment, creativity and commitment of the department and its partners – including health plans, providers and communities – to create a more equitable, coordinated and person-centered system of care dedicated to ensuring Michiganders a healthier future,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan Plan provide health care coverage to approximately 2.2 million Michiganders, including low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities. These plans are key to achieving the MDHHS mission to improve the health, safety and prosperity of residents. Through this online survey, MDHHS hopes to receive input from people currently enrolled in Medicaid and their families; advocacy groups; community-based organizations; federally recognized Michigan Indian tribes; providers of health care, behavioral health, dental care and other providers; health systems; health plans and other interested parties to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement in the services and supports provided by the Medicaid health plans. Survey questions seek feedback on broad priorities or strategic pillars – which are principles that will guide the state’s policy and program areas to assist in determining where the state should focus its efforts. Examples of pillars include giving all children a healthy start, reducing racial and ethnic health disparities and using data to drive outcomes. Feedback will help guide planning and decision-making in preparation for the implementation of new Medicaid health plan contracts, as well as other MDHHS efforts to improve the health of residents served by the programs. Survey responses must be submitted through the online survey, no later than 5 p.m., Aug. 26. For more information, visit MIHealthyLife. All procurement-related questions can be sent to mdhhs-mihealthylife@michigan. |
Michigan submits an EV charging plan
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Whitmer Statement on Senate Passage of CHIPS+ Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 27, 2022 Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Statement on Senate Passage of CHIPS+ Act Bipartisan legislation will face the chip crisis head-on, lower costs, shore up national security, boost domestic manufacturing, create and protect tens of thousands of good-paying jobs
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued the following statement after the United States Senate passed legislation including the Creating Helpful Incentives for the Production of Semiconductors for America (CHIPS) Act.
“The Senate’s bipartisan passage of the CHIPS Act is a win for Michigan’s workers, manufacturers, and consumers.
“This game-changing bill will make once-in-a-generation investments to set up the United States for decades of economic growth by bringing this vital supply chain home, creating and protecting tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, and lowering costs for families.
“I am grateful to Senator Stabenow and Senator Peters for leading on this issue in the Senate and working across the aisle to get it done. When it is signed into law, the CHIPS+ Act will shore up our supply chain and support companies based in Michigan including our auto industry, homegrown chip manufacturer Hemlock Semiconductor, and other high-tech firms including SK Siltron and KLA.
“In the days ahead, I am confident that thanks to the strong support of our Michigan delegation, the House of Representatives will pass this bill, and I urge them to send it to the president’s desk as quickly as possible so we can get the incentives laid out in the legislation out the door, build on Michigan’s economic momentum, and ultimately lower costs for Michiganders. I am proud that we are showing the world that the United States is the place to build the future. Let’s keep moving Michigan forward.”
CHIPS+ Act Opportunity The CHIPS+ Act would fund $52 billion in incentives to boost domestic semiconductor production and research, $2 billion of which would be dedicated to incentivizing production of the “mature node” semiconductors used by automakers and parts suppliers. Mature node chips are also used in medical devices, agricultural machinery like farm tractors and combines, as well as radiation-proof chips required by our national defense industrial base.
The CHIPS+ Act would provide a new, powerful tool in Michigan’s economic development toolbox. Increasing domestic chip production near automakers and other manufacturers will spur innovation, reduce inefficiencies, and avoid costly delays, helping Michigan attract long-term, sustainable investments from companies around the world.
Late last year, the Michigan Legislature, businesses, labor, and utilities worked with Governor Whitmer to pass bipartisan economic development legislation that helped Michigan land a $7 billion investment from GM creating and retaining 5,000 good-paying jobs, and earlier this year, Ford invested $2 billion creating 3,200 jobs. Signing the CHIPS+ Act into law will pave the way for more transformational projects that will invest billions into our communities and create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs.
Chip Crisis Impact Semiconductor chips are a vital component of many products used by people every day. The global shortage of these chips, exacerbated by the pandemic and supply chain constraints, has impacted people and industries across the country from auto manufacturing to consumer electronics, home appliances, medical devices, agriculture, defense and more. These shortages have resulted in reduced production and in some cases, idled plants, impacting more than 575,000 auto-related American jobs. In 2021, automakers in North America lost an estimated 2.2 million vehicles, equaling over 3,000 days of work.
This means workers with less income, higher prices at the store, less products for consumers to buy and an ever-growing dependence on foreign supplies. In the long run, increasing domestic production of chips will protect and create jobs, strengthen our supply chain, and grow the economy. Fully funding the CHIPS+ Act will bring chip manufacturing back home, creating and protecting thousands of good-paying jobs, growing America’s economy, and lowering costs for families. |