Warning About Toll Scam Targeting West Michigan

by orionontv | Apr 16, 2025 | Transportation

National Work Zone Awareness Week starts Monday

by orionontv | Apr 16, 2025 | Transportation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     MEDIA CONTACT April 16, 2025                                                                         John Richard 616-262-1565 [email protected]  National Work Zone Awareness Week starts Monday: “Respect the zone so we all get home” Fast facts: National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is April 21-25. Three workers and 13 motorists were killed in Michigan work zones in 2024. Play your part and drive with focus, especially when navigating through work zones.  LANSING, Mich. ­- Last year, 16 people lost their lives in Michigan work zones. These preliminary statistics also reveal more than 6,000 work zone crashes in 2024. How many of these tragedies could’ve been avoided with basic, focused driving? Every driver plays a part. Every road and bridge crew has a vital role. Every work zone needs to be respected. Next week is National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), and this year’s theme is, “Respect the zone so we all get home.” NWZAW has been observed for more than 20 years and was launched as a public awareness campaign to help everyone understand they play a key role in keeping motorists and roadway workers safe. “The statistics are alarming, and we can do better as we fix and update Michigan’s aging infrastructure,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “What’s more important than getting home safely to your loved ones? Driving is a privilege, and every work zone needs to be respected so we all make it home.” All road agencies in Michigan, including the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), county road commissions and cities throughout the state, are working diligently every day to fix our old roads and bridges. Drivers need to respect these workers by focusing, staying alert and remaining vigilant behind the wheel. In 2024, preliminary work zone crash information shows that there were: 16 fatalities, 1,065 work zone injuries and 6,097 total crashes. A media event will be held next Monday, April 28, with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, representatives from the Michigan State Police, MDOT and other safety officials from around Michigan. Road and bridges need work, but there are also work zones above and below the roads to address fiber optic, water, sanitation, natural gas and electricity. To create awareness and show your support for each work zone crew, wear orange on Wednesday, April 23. We can all make it home safely if we do our part, so “Go Orange” at home or at work and share a photo on social media using hashtags #Orange4Safety, #GoOrangeDay, and #NWZAW. MDOT reminds everyone to know before you go. Check www.Michigan.gov/Drive for updates on every work zone in the state on I, M and US routes. Since 2000, NWZAW has been part of the Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) national safety campaign, a vision of eliminating fatalities on our nation’s roads.

MDOT reminds drivers to avoid toll road scam 

by orionontv | Apr 15, 2025 | Transportation

MDOT reminds drivers to avoid toll road scam  

Fast facts:

• The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is reminding drivers to follow tips shared by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to avoid toll road scams.
• A recent scam shared with MDOT, includes an imposter government website, mimicking MDOT’s official site.
• MDOT does not operate toll roads and will not solicit payment for bridge tolls via text.

LANSING, Mich. ­– The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is reminding drivers to follow tips and guidelines issued by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, helping Michiganders to avoid falling victim to recent tolling and government imposter scams.

MDOT officials have been made aware of the newest toll road scam, including an imposter government website, which mimics MDOT’s official site, but carries a different URL address. MDOT reminds all drivers that Michigan does not have toll roads and will never solicit payment via text or include threatening verbiage to avoid late fees or harsher penalties.

Attorney General Nessel also is reminding consumers that government agencies:

• Will not request personal information through email, over the phone or text.
• Will never demand money through email, over the phone or text. They will mail you a notice and offer payment options.
• Do not ask for or take payment by prepaid gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or a payment app.

This screenshot is being included in a recent round of toll road scam attempts, mimicking MDOT’s website, but featuring a different URL address.

Pontiac Woodward Loop explained in new MDOT video

by orionontv | Apr 14, 2025 | Transportation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     MEDIA CONTACT

April 14, 2025                                                                         Diane Cross

[email protected]

Pontiac Woodward Loop initiative in Oakland County explained in new MDOT video

PONTIAC, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation has posted a new video to its YouTube channel to show the public what’s planned for the Woodward Loop Roadway Project that is aimed at enhancing the safety, connectivity and livability of the Pontiac area. “Across Michigan, we are moving dirt and fixing the damn roads to grow our economy, helping Michiganders go to work, drop their kids off at school and run errands safely,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “By the end of this construction season, we will have fixed, repaired or replaced nearly 24,500 lane miles of roads and 1,900 bridges, supporting thousands of good-paying, local jobs without raising taxes by a dime. This year, let’s build on our momentum to pass a bipartisan local road funding plan so we can keep fixing our damn roads and creating good-paying, local jobs.”

Currently, Pontiac has a one-way ring road encircling the downtown core that acts as a barrier between the downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, discouraging economic development and pedestrian activity. The proposed improvements would restore two-way traffic to the loop and create pedestrian and bicycle access to important regional assets, including the Clinton River Trail, the new Oakland County offices and the rail bus station.

Planned changes would occur on M-1 (Woodward Avenue), M-59 (Huron Street), and Parke Street.

MDOT officials believe this project will significantly enhance the community and looks forward to a more connected and accessible future for Pontiac. For comments and questions, please contact the project team at MDOT-Metro-WoodwardLoop@Michigan.gov.

MDOT: final phase of rebuilding I-696

by orionontv | Apr 10, 2025 | Transportation

Work progresses on the final phase of rebuilding I-696 On this week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation with Brian Travis, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) project manager overseeing the rebuilding of the central segment of I-696. The work, which began in March and will continue through most of 2027, involves closing the eastbound lanes of I-696 from M-10 and Lahser Road east to I-75. Travis explains that this is the last of three phases of the “Restore the Reuther” project, a $275 million rebuilding of the freeway. In 2019, the state completed work along the easternmost portion, along with the western end in 2023 and 2024. The conversation also includes an update on MDOT’s second flex route, this one on I-96 in Oakland County. The project is nearing completion as crews prepare for the use of ramp metering to regulate the flow of traffic to the freeway. A video explains the benefits of the flex route and ramp metering.

MDOT crews, other agencies respond to historic ice storm

by orionontv | Apr 3, 2025 | Transportation

MDOT crews, other agencies respond to historic ice storm A few days after a massive ice storm rocked northern lower Michigan, many thousands remain without power while crews from power companies, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and other state and local agencies continue the cleanup and rebuilding process. Bill Wahl, MDOT North Region associate engineer for operations, who is coordinating department efforts, joins the podcast to provide an update on the recovery. Also joining is James Lake, MDOT North Region media relations specialist, who assists the Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) with communications. He talks about why falling ice necessitated closing the bridge three times in three days, including a record 30-hour period. Wahl and Lake grew up in the region and neither has seen anything like this ice storm and the resulting destruction. Wahl recounts utility workers who had been on power-restoration projects following hurricanes in the Southeast saying the scenes are as bad or worse as anything they’ve seen. Wahl says crews from several counties to the south, including Kent, Ottawa, Mason, Missaukee, Muskegon, Roscommon, Iosco and Wexford, were helping to clear roads. While the Mackinac Bridge re-opened Thursday morning, April 3, after a 30-hour closure, officials will continue to closely monitor conditions for falling ice. The MBA posted a video message on X from Bridge Director Kim Nowack about the falling ice, along with some photos from the bridge. More videos of falling ice that prompted the current closure were also posted on X. The bridge has closed roughly 30 times in the past 30 years, and the average closure duration is several hours. More frequently asked questions about falling ice and other topics are available on the MBA website.