Transportation Archives - Page 20 of 43

Automated speed enforcement in work zones

by orionontv | Mar 9, 2023 | Transportation

Revisiting a conversation about automated speed enforcement in work zones

With the introduction of a new bill in the Michigan Legislature to enable the use of automated technology to enforce speeding laws on segments of road under construction, this week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast reprises an episode from Aug. 30, 2022, after a similar bill was introduced last legislative session.

Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/12401736-revisiting-a-conversation-about-automated-speed-enforcement-in-work-zones

House Bill 4132 has bipartisan sponsorship that has generated a great deal of discussion. The podcast now follows up on talks when the similar bill was discussed in the previous Legislature.

Some key points from the previous podcast:

In 2006, Illinois became the first state to authorize the use of automated traffic enforcement programs to enforce speed limits in highway work zones, with implementation coming a few years later. The enabling legislation provided a legal framework for photo enforcement of speed limits in highway work zones.
In the summer of 2022, some Michigan lawmakers, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) officials, leaders in labor organizations, and the road building industry witnessed demonstrations on Michigan freeways on how the technology works.

The podcast first featured a conversation with Juan Pava, Safety Programs Unit chief, Bureau of Safety Programs and Engineering at the Illinois Department of Transportation, about how the enforcement has worked there.

Later, Lance Binoniemi of the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA), talks about why he and his members are advocating for the previous House Bill 5750, and what he learned from the demonstrations.

Listen now at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205.

Stay connected by subscribing to Talking Michigan Transportation e-mail updates.

Lane closures on I-94, M-19 to County Line Road through mid-March

by orionontv | Mar 6, 2023 | Transportation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT

March 6, 2023 Diane Cross

[email protected]

Lane closures on I-94 from M-19 to County Line Road through mid-May for bridge work in Macomb County

LENOX TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Beginning 5 a.m. Wednesday, March 8, through mid-May, I-94 will have one lane open in each direction from M-19 to County Line Road for bridge work at M-19 (New Haven Road), 26 Mile Road, and County Line Road.

Previously there were multiple locations with one lane open, this will now extend the boundaries from M-19 (New Haven Road) to County Line Road.

A reminder: bridge rehabilitation work has closed County Line Road over I-94 in Macomb County for approximately two months. Only local traffic will be permitted on County Line Road between 26 Mile Road and 31 Mile Road.

Traffic will be detoured:

– Northbound County Line Road to westbound 26 Mile Road to northbound M-19 (Main Street/New Haven Road) to northbound M-19 (Gratiot Avenue) then to eastbound 31 Mile Road.

– Southbound County Line Road to westbound 31 Mile Road to southbound M-19 (Gratiot Avenue) to southbound M-19 (Main Street/New Haven Road) then to eastbound 26 Mile Road.

This work is part of a $32.5 million dollar project on I-94 from M-29 (23 Mile Road) to County Line Road which includes bridge work at six locations, traffic signal upgrades and partial ramp reconstruction at the I-94/M-19 and I-94/M-29 interchanges. Work will be completed by late fall.

Westbound I-696 closing from US-24 to I-275 this weekend

by orionontv | Feb 23, 2023 | Transportation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT

February 23, 2023 Diane Cross

[email protected]

Reminder: I-696 project gets under way with westbound I-696 closing from US-24 (Telegraph Road) to I-275 this weekend

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – The I-696 Rebuilding Michigan project will require a complete closure this weekend to prepare for a traffic shift which will have both directions of I-696 sharing the westbound side.

Beginning 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, through 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, westbound I-696 from US-24 (Telegraph Road) to I-275 will close to prepare the freeway for setting up the traffic shift. The detour is westbound I-696 to southbound US-24 (Telegraph Road) to westbound M-102 (8 Mile Road) to northbound M-5 (Grand River Avenue) to northbound I-275.

Once it reopens 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, through late fall, westbound I-696 from US-24 (Telegraph Road) to I-275 will have two lanes open. The Orchard Lake Road ramp to westbound I-696 will remain closed through late fall.

Beginning Friday, March 10, through late fall, eastbound I-696 from I-275 to US-24 (Telegraph Road) will have traffic shifted onto the westbound side with two lanes open in each direction.

Project information:

This $275 million project includes rebuilding the roadway from the base up, including storm sewer replacement work and rebuilding ramps at Orchard Lake Road, American Drive, Franklin Road, M-10 (Northwestern Highway), and US-24 (Telegraph Road).

During 2023 eastbound I-696 will be rebuilt from I-275 to Evergreen Road. Westbound lanes will be rebuilt in 2024. Project details can be found at DrivingOakland.com.

Funding for this project is made possible by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan program to rebuild the state highways and bridges that are critical to the state’s economy and carry the most traffic. The investment strategy is aimed at fixes that result in longer useful lives and improves the condition of the state’s infrastructure.

Based on economic modeling, this $275 million investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 3,500 jobs.

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.

Automated speed enforcement in work zones

Revisiting a conversation about automated speed enforcement in work zones

Lane closures on I-94, M-19 to County Line Road through mid-March

Westbound I-696 closing from US-24 to I-275 this weekend

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

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