Federal grants will benefit some vital corridors

by orionontv | Jan 23, 2025 | Transportation

Rebuilding the third segment of I-696 begins soon

by orionontv | Jan 16, 2025 | Transportation

Rebuilding the third segment of I-696 begins soon 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 eastern segment of I-696. The work will begin in March and continue through most of 2027, and 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. A complete closure makes sense, Travis says, for the safety of drivers and the construction contractor’s employees. Travis also talks about the history of the freeway, which was originally conceived as I-98 in the earliest discussion of the Interstate system. The center segment was completed years later than the eastern and western portions because of various obstacles, including a lack of agreement among community leaders on the corridor about the exact route. Progress came about only after then-Michigan Gov. George Romney forced the various leaders to gather in a room and come to an agreement. LISTEN NOW Listen now at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205. Stay connected by subscribing to Talking Michigan Transportation e-mail updates.

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75 closing for aerial crossings in northern Oakland County

by orionontv | Jan 14, 2025 | Transportation

Traffic advisory for I-75 closure in Holly                                                                Tuesday, 1/14/25

NB/SB I-75 at Evans Road, between Baldwin Road and Grange Hall Rd will be closed for multiple :15 minute intervals this weekend for aerial installation:

• Saturday 8am-10am
• Sunday 8am-10am

MSP will be assisting with the closure. Plan for delays and/or detour routes.

DETOURS:

• NB I-75 to Grange Hall to NB Dixie Hwy to NB 75
• SB I-75 to Dixie Hwy/Saginaw to SB Dixie to WB Grange Hall to SB 75

Meet MDOT’s director of economic development

by orionontv | Jan 9, 2025 | Transportation

Meet MDOT’s director of economic development On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation with Mike Kapp, who directs the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Office of Economic Development (OED). Kapp explains the origins of the office and how its various programs provide benefits to communities across the state. He also breaks down the six categories that make up the program. Later, Kapp talks about the office’s 2024 accomplishments, including distributing $23.1 million in Category A grant funds, which: Generated $4.5 billion in private investment, Supported 4,414 jobs, and Resulted in $262 in private investment for every public dollar. See all of the OED’s accomplishments online.

Applications now open for Safe Routes to School mini grants

by orionontv | Jan 7, 2025 | Transportation

Applications now open for Safe Routes to School mini grants 

LANSING, MI – Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Mini Grants for the 2025-2026 school year are now open. K-12 schools and affiliated nonprofits are invited to apply for funding to support active transportation programming in Michigan. 

SRTS is an international movement and a federal program to make it safe, convenient and fun for children, including those with disabilities, to walk, bike and roll to school. When routes are safe, walking, biking and rolling to and from school helps children get the regular physical activity they need for good health. SRTS initiatives also help ease traffic jams and air pollution, unite neighborhoods and contribute to students’ readiness to learn in school. 

Past Mini Grant initiatives have supported walking school bus programs, remote drop sites, bike rodeos and other active transportation incentives. Applicants are eligible to receive up to $15,000 per school, with a maximum of $120,000 per applicant for eight or more schools. For more about the application process, eligibility and details, visit https://saferoutesmichigan.org/srts-mini-grant.

Mini Grant applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, March 7. Notification of Mini Grant awards will be announced in May. For questions about the request for proposals or to discuss a potential SRTS proposal, contact Program Coordinator Erin Paskus.

Michigan’s SRTS program is managed by the Michigan Department of Transportation with support from the Michigan Fitness Foundation. 

MDOT secures federal grant for wildlife crossing hotspots

by orionontv | Dec 26, 2024 | Transportation

MDOT secures federal grant for wildlife crossing hotspots

 SAGINAW, Mich. – In a win for motorists and wildlife alike, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has secured a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to fund a wildlife crossing analysis. In September, MDOT announced their grant submission in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), aimed at identifying the most problematic wildlife crossings posing a risk for motorist safety on state trunklines. MDOT has been awarded $467,376 to fund the analysis, further streamlining efforts to improve motorist safety by reducing wildlife vehicle collisions (WVCs).

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced $135 million in grant awards for 16 states for fiscal year 2024-2025 as part of the USDOT’s Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program (WCPP). In 2023, the USDOT awarded $110 million in funding for 17 states, and a total of 19 wildlife crossings. Awards included $24.4 million for Wyoming DOT to complete several crossings supporting migratory patterns for mule deer, pronghorn and other species.

Michigan typically ranks fourth highest in the nation for deer/vehicle crashes, with an average of 55,000 deer/vehicle crashes per year, resulting in $130 million in damages. Michigan also reports crashes with moose, elk, bear and wild turkeys. While the number of crashes with other large species is not as high, the risk and damage are detrimental and increase the risk for some species of greatest concern (SGCN). Additional at-risk specifies identified in MDOT’s grant application include Blanding’s turtles, eastern massasauga rattlesnakes and pine marten.

“We’re pleased the state has secured funding to undertake this innovative work in Michigan,” said Steve Chadwick, senior Great Lakes wetland advisor for the MDNR. “This grant has the potential to benefit at-risk species by helping them reach critical habitat, and to protect more common species as we seek to make roads safer for Michigan drivers.”

MDOT’s Bay Region has spent years tracking deer carcasses and traffic crash reports (UD-10s) submitted by law enforcement to identify the locations and frequency of WVCs, with an end-goal to reduce crashes, improve motorist safety and protect at-risk species. Moving forward MDOT, MDNR and other state departments will turn over their existing WVC data to a consultant team to begin the official wildlife hotspot analysis using the federal grant and a state match of $116,844 to fund the study. The hotspot analysis will identify the top 20 locations statewide responsible for repetitive WVCs, allowing MDOT to work toward the ultimate goal of providing WVC mitigation and protecting all Michiganders, including the wildlife variety.

“We’re going to look at locations identified by the analysis and first determine if there is existing infrastructure in place that can be retrofitted to accommodate wildlife passage,” said MDOT Bay Region Resource Specialist Amanda Novak. “If there is an existing bridge or culvert that can include space for wildlife, mitigation measures similar to those in other states can be added and can help us increase the number of wildlife crossings without a huge financial investment. Ultimately, we stand to gain by also incorporating what we learn into future design standards, so we’re active in our wildlife mitigation efforts, starting in the design phase of a road project.”

Novak spoke about her experience researching wildlife crossings and collecting data during a September edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast.

MDOT expects to issue a request for proposals this spring, beginning the process of hiring the team that will complete the final compilation of WVCs.

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Crash Not Accident
Note to reporters: Crashes are no accident, they are preventable. Please use “crash” instead of “accident” when reporting. Learn more at www.Michigan.gov/CrashNotAccident.

Bull moose struck by vehicle in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Credit: MDNR

Gravid Blanding’s turtle struck by a vehicle in southern Michigan.
Credit: Eric McCluskey

Eastern massasauga rattlesnake struck by a vehicle along a state highway in Michigan.
Credit: Jennifer Moore