Mackinac Bridge Authority urges Michigan Senate to pass legislation to protect Michigan’s bridges from trespassers, ensure safety of motorists

ST. IGNACE, Mich. ­- The Mackinac Bridge Authority today called on the Michigan Senate to take action on House Bill 5315 (Damoose, R-107) which was passed with overwhelming support in the Michigan House on February 16, 2022. The legislation – which was set for a vote by the full Senate last week but was inexplicably pulled from the agenda at the last minute – would make it a felony to trespass on Michigan’s major bridges including the Mackinac Bridge.

The Mackinac Bridge Authority pursued the legislation following incidents that endanger the safety of motorists and workers who need to investigate these incidents.

“It is time to stop playing games with this piece of legislation,” said State Rep. John Damoose. “The Mackinac Bridge is arguably the most critical piece of infrastructure in our state, and it is our duty as legislators to protect it. I call upon my colleagues in the Senate to pass House Bill 5315 immediately.”

The legislation would also apply to the Houghton-Hancock bridge, the Grand Haven Bascule Bridge, the new Gordie Howe International Bridge, the Ambassador Bridge, the Blue Water Bridge, the Zilwaukee Bridge, the International Bridge, the Charlevoix Memorial Drawbridge, the Windsor Tunnel and all other movable bridges.

“This legislation is imperative to maintaining safe driving conditions and send the message that these risky stunts will not be tolerated. Senate Republicans have the ability to move this legislation to the Governor’s desk but have inexplicably failed to do so,” said Shorty Gleason, Chair of the Mackinac Bridge Authority, and member of the Authority for 18 years. “With one session day left before they start campaigning, they still have an opportunity to get this legislation done.”

At the same time, the Senate is also considering legislation (Senate Bills 1078 and 1014, McBroom, R-38) that could threaten the safety of motorists, by expanding the types of motorized vehicles that can operate on the Mackinac Bridge to include farm implements that are currently only allowed on the “back” roads of Michigan. The Mackinac Bridge Authority is strongly opposed to SBs 1078 and 1014.

Farm implements vary greatly in purpose, size, width, weight and are currently prohibited from traveling on any “limited access” highway. SBs 1078 and 1014 would allow non-trailered farm equipment to drive on the Mackinac Bridge. The legislation was introduced in response to a farmer who wants to drive a manure-spreader across the Mackinac Bridge without using a trailer and following the permit process that everyone else follows. The Mackinac Bridge Authority has no evidence of the kind of demand that would warrant this serious change in law. Senate lawmakers are also considering linking the three bills together through a procedural move that would kill HB 5315 unless SBs 1078 and 1014 became law.

“The idea that Senate lawmakers might link the manure legislation to House Bill 5315 is shocking. Motorists in Michigan deserve to have the Senate pass legislation to stop trespassers from disrupting bridge crossings, and hold them accountable, without linking it to legislation for one Senator seeking a special-interest carve-out. No other industry would benefit from this counterproductive legislation,” said Bill Milliken, Jr., member of the Bridge Authority.

“The Mackinac Bridge Authority gave due consideration to SBs 1078 and 1014 and is always willing to work on common-sense legislation. However, these bills do not fit the definition of ‘common-sense’ and therefore we remain strongly opposed to this legislation,” said Tricia Kinley, member of the Bridge Authority.

“I have spent three decades working in the legislative process, and this is a classic example of how bad bills get passed, since they can’t stand on their own merit. We need Senate Republicans to remain focused on legislation to ensure the safety of motorists using our bridges; passing House Bill 5315 without linking it to bad legislation is a great way to do so,” concluded Gleason.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       MDOT MEDIA CONTACT        ELECTREON CONTACT
September 21, 2022                  Michael Frezell                        Janine Ward
517-281-6519                          313-536-7806
FrezellM@Michigan.gov        electreon@antennagroup.com 

Partners on the first-in-the-U.S. public wireless EV charging road, MDOT and Electreon enter into agreement
 to explore larger road deployment 

Fast facts:
– Electreon was selected to build a public wireless in-road charging system to pilot on a 1-mile section of road in Detroit.
– MDOT and Electreon have signed a five-year agreement to develop and work toward implementing a scalable wireless public in-road charging network.
– Research and lessons learned as part of this agreement will help to develop best practices framework for wireless electric road system implementation and management in all of Michigan. 

LANSING, Mich. and LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Today, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Electreon have entered into a five-year agreement to develop and work toward implementing a scalable wireless public in-road charging network for electric vehicles (EV). A first in the United State, the in-road system charges EVs while in motion or stationary.

“This agreement helps solidify Michigan as the U.S. leader in developing and implementing a wireless in-road charging network,” State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba said. “We now can work toward better policy and regulatory framework that provides a welcoming environment for this unique technology. Ultimately, the research and work conducted on this project will help lead to large-scale deployment across Michigan and the U.S.”

Under the agreement, MDOT and Electreon will work collaboratively to develop best practices for a wireless electric road system (ERS) implementation and management and add strategic partners. They will analyze the benefits associated with ERS pertaining to pressure on the grid and cost associated with large-scale electrification of the transportation sector, integrate it in the 2045 electrification strategy, leverage state and federal funding, and explore possible business models for ERS to serve as a revenue stream for the state and as an attractive alternative for fleet operators. Reduction of pollution will be addressed, especially in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, and public transit agencies will be engaged to ensure accessibility to the wireless ERS infrastructure.

“The potential for electrifying roads and cities is practically endless and working together with MDOT we are reshaping the future of transportation,” said Oren Ezer, CEO and co-founder of Electreon. “Through ongoing collaboration on our Detroit project, MDOT has proven to be innovative leaders in the industry. We’re excited to enter into this agreement to create a blueprint for scaling wireless charging for all EVs across Michigan and the U.S. and look forward to aligning with additional DOTs in the future.”

In February of this year, the State of Michigan announced Electreon was awarded a contract to build a 1-mile ERS in Detroit. The company is leading the development, design, evaluation, iteration, testing, and implementation of the inductive vehicle charging pilot program, which aims to be operational as of 2023. Working with NextEnergy and Jacobs Engineering Group, the project is being hosted by and live within Michigan Central, a mobility innovation district, and supported by partners like Ford Motor Co., DTE Energy, and the City of Detroit.

The parties believe that electrified roadways have the potential to accelerate adoption of EVs by consumers and fleet operations alike by enabling continuous vehicle operations and turning public streets into safe and sustainable shared energy assets. The State of Michigan is exploring electrifying state-owned vehicles by 2030, including EV trucks, vans, and cars.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                MEDIA CONTACT
September 20, 2022                                                                           Dan Weingarten
906-250-4809
WeingartenD@Michigan.gov

Final Adopt-A-Highway cleanup coming Saturday

Fast facts:

– The final Adopt-A-Highway of the year is Sept. 24-Oct. 2.

– Adopt-A-Highway volunteers regularly collect more than 60,000 bags of litter annually.

– Sections of highway are still available to adopt. Go to www.Michigan.gov/AdoptAHighway

 for more information.

 LANSING, Mich. ­– Before the leaves start to turn and fall, thousands of Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Adopt-A-Highway volunteers will fan out across the state to collect litter along highway roadsides from Saturday, Sept. 24, through Sunday, Oct. 2.

This is the third and final scheduled pickup period of the year.

Every year, Adopt-A-Highway volunteers regularly collect more than 60,000 bags of trash. The popular program began in Michigan in 1990 and has grown to involve more than 2,900 groups cleaning more than 6,000 miles of highway.

Motorists should be on the lookout for the groups as the clean the roadsides beginning Saturday. When working in a highway right of way, Adopt-A-Highway volunteers wear high-visibility, yellow-green safety vests required by federal regulations. MDOT provides free vests and trash bags, and arranges to haul away the trash.

Getting involved in the program is straightforward. Volunteers include members of civic groups, businesses and families. Crew members have to be at least 12 years old and each group must include at least three people. Groups are asked to adopt a section of highway for at least two years. There is no fee to participate. Adopt-A-Highway signs bearing group names are posted along the stretches of adopted highway.

Sections of highway are available for adoption all over the state. Interested groups can get more information on joining the program at www.Michigan.gov/AdoptAHighway.