MDOT bridge bundling project reopens to traffic

by orionontv | Aug 30, 2022 | Transportation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                MEDIA CONTACT
August 29, 2022                                                                                  Dan Weingarten
906-250-4809
[email protected]

Another MDOT bridge bundling project reopens to traffic,
ahead of schedule

Fast facts:
– The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) bridge bundling pilot project moved forward as the Dennis Road bridge over Doan Creek in Ingham County reopened to traffic Friday.
– The pilot currently encompasses major improvements on 19 locally owned bridges in 2022.
– MDOT’s online dashboard at Michigan.gov/BridgeBundling allows the public to track progress on the projects.

LANSING, Mich. ­– The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) bridge bundling pilot project continues to move forward, with an Ingham County bridge reopening to traffic Friday, Aug. 26.

The Dennis Road bridge over Doan Creek, south of Williamston, reopened about a week early after major repair work. The bridge, built in 1945, was in serious condition, resulting in reduced load restrictions posted on the bridge before the repairs.

Twelve local agency bridge bundling projects are now largely finished, with work on seven others ongoing. Another structure, the Tallman Road bridge in Clinton County, is close to completion and is expected to be finished this week.

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.

All of the bridges encompassed by the bridge bundling program will be completed within 60 or 90 days from the start of repairs.

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 provides project updates and shows percent completion, detour routes, and other information for each project.

The pilot program is only the first phase of the bridge bundling initiative. $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 planning and development 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.

###
Driving safely in work zones saves lives! Protect MI work zones by taking the pledge.
www.twitter.com/MichiganDOT | www.facebook.com/MichiganDOT | www.youtube.com/MichiganDOT

The Dennis Road bridge over Doan Creek in Ingham County was in serious condition before being repaired as part of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) bridge bundling pilot project. The bridge was reopened to traffic Friday, Aug. 26, after fewer than 60 days of work. The pilot encompasses major improvements to 19 locally owned bridges in 2022. (Photo courtesy of RS&H)

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) bridge bundling pilot project moved forward as the Dennis Road bridge over Doan Creek in Ingham County reopened to traffic on Friday, Aug. 26. (Photo courtesy of RS&H) 

Using technology to curb speeding in work zones

by orionontv | Aug 30, 2022 | Transportation

How using technology to curb speeding in work zones has worked in other states 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. Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/11228543-how-using-technology-to-curb-speeding-in-work-zones-has-worked-in-other-states   Last week, some Michigan lawmakers, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) officials, and leaders in labor organizations and the road building industry witnessed demonstrations on Michigan freeways of how the technology works. On this edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, first, 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 House Bill 5750, and what he learned from the demonstrations. Some key themes: Both transportation professionals and researchers generally agree that active enforcement is the most effective way to reduce speeding in work zones. However, speed enforcement in work zones is not always as simple as posting police in the work zone. Oftentimes work zones are not conducive to active enforcement by officers. For example, the work zone layout may limit both the number of safe locations where officers can position their vehicles and the number of pull-off areas where violators can be stopped. Active enforcement may also mean that officers will need to leave the work zone to cite a vehicle (which decreases enforcement visibility) or step out of their vehicles in the work zone (which opens them up to the risk of being struck by a passing vehicle). Alternatively, photo speed enforcement systems provide active enforcement while remaining stationary, and they can consistently cite more drivers, which can increase compliance with posted speed limits. Another benefit of using fixed camera systems is that they don’t require officers to risk injury or death by exposing themselves to vehicles moving at high speeds through the work zone. Studies of these systems in general have shown that their use could result in a reduction in injury crashes of as much as 20 to 25 percent.

Southbound I-75 closed from M-102 to I-375 this weekend

by orionontv | Aug 25, 2022 | Transportation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     MEDIA CONTACT August 25, 2022                                                                      Diane Cross [email protected]   Southbound I-75 closed from M-102 (8 Mile Road) to I-375 for road and bridge repairs this weekend in Wayne County DETROIT, Mich. – Road repair and bridge work require closing southbound I-75 from M-102 (8 Mile Road) to I-375 from 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 29. All ramps from 9 Mile Road through Mack Avenue will also be closed. The freeway-to-freeway detour is southbound I-75 to westbound M-102 (8 Mile Road), then southbound M-10 to southbound I-75.

Reimagining Michigan Avenue in Corktown

by Becky Andrus | Aug 15, 2022 | Transportation

How automated speed enforcement could save road worker lives

by Becky Andrus | Aug 10, 2022 | Transportation

How automated speed enforcement could save road worker lives On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, conversations with two people working on initiatives to protect those who build our state’s roads and bridges. Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/11108912-how-automated-speed-enforcement-could-save-road-worker-lives   Michigan House Bill 5750 would allow the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Michigan State Police (MSP) to set up automated speed enforcement systems in segments of state roads where work is being performed. First, John Osika, a veteran of Operating Engineers 324, representing heavy equipment operators, talks about the need for this legislation and other measures to protect workers. He recently penned an op-ed for Bridge Magazine laying out the reasons he and his colleagues support HB 5750. He also discusses close calls he observed first-hand while working on projects. The bill earmarks civil fine revenue from violations of section 627c first to MDOT, by implication for the cost of installing and using automated speed enforcement systems. The bill directs MDOT to deposit civil fine revenue from violations of section 627c in excess of the costs of installing and using automated speed enforcement systems into the Work Zone Safety Fund, established in the bill as a restricted fund for the purpose of improving work zone safety. Later, Lindsey Renner, MDOT construction operations engineer who is transitioning from her role as work zone manager, talks about the potential benefits of automated speed enforcement. These benefits have been measured in other states, including Maryland where a 2016 report documented a 10 percent reduction in speeds in Montgomery County. The House Fiscal Agency analysis says the bill would limit use of automated speed enforcement system to streets and highways under MDOT jurisdiction (state trunkline highways) and only in work zones when workers are present. The bill would have no impact on local road agencies. Podcast photo: Road work ahead sign. First portrait: John Osika, training director of Michigan-based Operating Engineers 324. Second portrait: MDOT construction operations engineer.

One bridge bundling project wraps up, others starting

by Becky Andrus | Aug 1, 2022 | Transportation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                MEDIA CONTACT
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 provides project updates and shows percent completion, detour routes, and other information for each project.

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.

###

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

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

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)