Transportation Archives - Page 18 of 40

Lt. Gov. Gilchrist shares optimism for I-375 conversion

by orionontv | Feb 16, 2023 | Transportation

Celebrating Black History Month, Lt. Gov. Gilchrist shares optimism for I-375 conversion

On part II of special Black History Month editions of the Talking Michigan Transportation, Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist talks about the importance of the project to convert the I-375 depressed freeway to an at-grade boulevard, reconnecting neighborhoods.

Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/12251014-celebrating-black-history-month-lt-gov-gilchrist-shares-optimism-for-i-375-conversion

As a child growing up near those neighborhoods, and hearing the stories of relatives who recalled the razing of black-owned homes and businesses in the name of urban renewal, Gilchrist has personal reasons to be excited about the future, which he’s discussed previously.

In September, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joined Gilchrist, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and others to formally award the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) a nearly $105 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant to boost the project.

Gilchrist also underscores the social and environmental justice components of the I-375 project and how the same principles apply to developing the intermodal facility and rethinking Michigan Avenue.

Later, Gilchrist talks about a major economic development announcement this week that he participated in with Gov. Whitmer as Ford Motor Co. unveiled plans for a $3.5 billion electric vehicle battery plant in Marshall, Michigan.

$25 million for a key west Michigan freeway interchange

by orionontv | Jan 30, 2023 | Transportation

Legislature appropriates $25 million for a key west Michigan freeway interchange

On this episode of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, conversations about how supplemental appropriations legislation will boost a long-sought rebuilding of a freeway interchange that is vital to the regional flow of commuters, commerce and quality of life.

Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/12145710-legislature-appropriates-25-million-for-a-key-west-michigan-freeway-interchange

First, Michigan Department of Transportation Grand Region Engineer Erick Kind talks about how the interchange at I-96 and Fruit Ridge Avenue in Walker, northwest of Grand Rapids, has been outdated and in need of improvement for several years. As with all transportation infrastructure in Michigan, decades-long underinvestment has made the improvements cost-prohibitive, despite the growing manufacturing, agricultural, service industry, and community needs in the corridor.

The interchange is categorized as functionally obsolete and in need of replacement. Fruit Ridge Avenue has five lanes north and four lanes to the south of the bridge over I-96, but the bridge has only two lanes, which presents congestion and safety challenges.

In the podcast’s second segment, State Rep. Carol Glanville, who helped secure the $25 million for the project, talks about her advocacy and success helping others understand why it’s a priority not just for the city of Walker but the broader region. She also explains how expanding the Fruit Ridge Avenue bridge will allow for nonmotorized lanes and connections between trails.

From previous federal grant applications for the project:

The I-96/Fruit Ridge Avenue interchange improvement project will redesign and rebuild an important freight-handling interchange located in the city of Walker, Michigan, an agricultural and manufacturing hub of west Michigan. The project serves a substantially rural workforce, which swells the city’s daytime population by more than 60 percent as they commute to and from Walker industries producing products for regional and international markets through Detroit, Chicago, the Muskegon Harbor Deepwater Port, and Canada.

Study examines feasibility of tolling some Michigan roads

by orionontv | Jan 23, 2023 | Transportation

Study examines feasibility of tolling some Michigan roads

On this week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation with Eric Morris, Michigan office lead for HNTB, the transportation consultant selected to complete a tolling study.

Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/12086503-study-examines-feasibility-of-tolling-some-michigan-roads

Some 35 states have at least one facility with tolling. But that number is a little deceiving because Michigan would be counted in that total since there is tolling on big bridges and/or international crossings but no tolling on non-bridge road segments.

Morris says the experts analyzed all 31 highways in Michigan for the study and determined that 14 could become toll roads, including large portions of Interstates 75, 94 and 96.

As Bridge Michigan reported, any tolls would take years to implement and require approval from the Legislature and the governor, among numerous hurdles.

Morris talks about the differences between various road user charge (RUC) options, including mileage-based user fees (MBUF) and tolling and how pilot programs seeking people to participate have been voluntary, so far, including one in Oregon that has generated a lot of discussion.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge takes shape

by orionontv | Jan 12, 2023 | Transportation

The Gordie Howe International Bridge takes shape

On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation with Heather Grondin, vice president of corporate affairs and external relations at the Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA), which is overseeing the building of the Gordie Howe International Bridge (GHIB).

Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/12025056-the-gordie-howe-international-bridge-takes-shape

She talks about the progress made on the bridge in 2022, the busiest so far for construction. A WDBA video released in December offered year-in-review highlights.

In addition to facing the traditional challenges of any large infrastructure project, the worldwide pandemic also affected the project, though work continued with safeguards for the health of the workers.

Grondin explains that among other milestones in 2023, the towers on each side of the border will reach their full height – more than 700 feet, very close to the height of the tallest building at the Renaissance Center along the Detroit riverfront.

Soon, workers will begin connecting the first cables from the towers to the bridge and road deck. Also in 2023, work will begin on the main span over the Detroit River, which will be accomplished without any work in the river.

Other ongoing developments include:

All structures at the ports of entry are under construction.
Construction of the ramps connecting from the U.S. Port of Entry to I-75.

Grondin also highlights the sustainability components of the project, which are receiving international recognition. She also explained the varied community-benefit programs that are helping neighbors of the bridge with home improvements and offering funding for some 20 non-for-profits supporting local communities in the Delray neighborhood of Detroit and the Sandwich neighborhood in Windsor.

GHIB US site October 2022

Gordie Howe International Bridge progress on the United States side in October 2022.

Podcast photo: Gordie Howe International Bridge rendering.
Portrait photo: Heather Grondin, vice president of corporate affairs and external relations at the Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA).

All images courtesy of the Point International Gordie Howe International Bridge website

A recap of 2022 major road and bridge projects

by orionontv | Dec 27, 2022 | Transportation

A recap of 2022 major road and bridge projects

On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, Brad Wieferich, MDOT chief operations officer and chief engineer, talks about major road and bridge projects completed on state trunklines in the past year, featured in MDOT’s year-end video.

Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/11917087-a-recap-of-2022-major-road-and-bridge-projects

Among the projects discussed:

I-69/I-475 in Flint, rebuilding bridges and 2 miles of highway.
I-75/US-23 in Mackinaw City, repaving and a new bridge for US-23 over I-75, $12.3 million.
US-2 in Bessemer, rebuilding of the road and storm sewer upgrades, $9 million,
I-496 in Lansing, rebuilding/repairing of 17 bridges and nearly 3 miles of road, $80 million.
US-31/I-94/I-196 in Benton Harbor, rebuilding 3.5 miles of I-94 and building new bridges at Britain Avenue and Benton Center Road, $94 million.
Second Avenue Bridge over I-94 in Detroit, replacing the original structure with the state’s first network tied arch bridge, $26 million
I-96 in eastern Kent County, rebuilding more than 2 miles of the expressway between Thornapple River Drive and Whitneyville Avenue, $15 million.

Wieferich also talks about some of the unique challenges MDOT staff and contractors face because of the pandemic, inflation, and supply chain issues.

Bridge work requires closing of I-94 starting Friday

by orionontv | Dec 13, 2022 | Transportation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT

December 13, 2022 Rob Morosi

248-361-6288 [email protected]

Bridge work requires closing a portion of

I-94 in Detroit starting Friday morning

Fast facts:

– Work on the Second Avenue and Grand River Avenue bridges will require I-94 closures Friday morning to Tuesday morning.

– Both directions of I-94 will be closed between I-75 and M-10 (Lodge Freeway).

– From Friday night to Sunday night, the closure limits will extend between I-75 and I-96.

DETROIT, Mich. - Weather permitting, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) contract crews will be making another round of hangar adjustments on the new Second Avenue bridge over I-94, as well as continuing work on the Grand River Avenue overpass above I-94. For safety, this work will require closing eastbound and westbound I-94 between I-75 and M-10 (Lodge Freeway) starting at 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16. Both directions of I-94 are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20.

Work on the Grand River Avenue overpass is restricted to weekend hours, resulting in extending the closure on I-94 between I-75 and I-96. Work on the Grand River Avenue overpass starts at 9 p.m. Friday and ends by 9 p.m. Sunday.

Westbound I-94 traffic will be detoured via southbound I-75 and westbound I-96 back to westbound I-94. All entrance ramps to westbound I-94 from Mt. Elliott to John R. streets will be closed.

Eastbound I-94 traffic will be detoured via eastbound I-96 and northbound I-75 back to eastbound I-94. All entrance ramps to eastbound I-94 from 30th Street to M-10 (Lodge Freeway) will be closed.

Ramps in both directions will close by 5 a.m. Friday and reopen by 5 a.m. Tuesday.

Traffic on northbound and southbound M-10 (Lodge Freeway) will have access to westbound I-94 during daylight hours on Friday and Monday.

Follow the I-94 modernization project on the web at https://I94Detroit.org or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/I94Detroit or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/I94Detroit.

### Driving safely in work zones saves lives! Protect MI work zones by taking the pledge.

www.twitter.com/MDOT_MetroDet | www.facebook.com/MichiganDOT | www.youtube.com/MichiganDOT

Lt. Gov. Gilchrist shares optimism for I-375 conversion

Celebrating Black History Month, Lt. Gov. Gilchrist shares optimism for I-375 conversion

$25 million for a key west Michigan freeway interchange

Legislature appropriates $25 million for a key west Michigan freeway interchange

Study examines feasibility of tolling some Michigan roads

Study examines feasibility of tolling some Michigan roads

The Gordie Howe International Bridge takes shape

The Gordie Howe International Bridge takes shape

A recap of 2022 major road and bridge projects

A recap of 2022 major road and bridge projects

Bridge work requires closing of I-94 starting Friday

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