Whitmer Announces 21 Rebuilding Michigan Road Projects

by Becky Andrus | Mar 23, 2021 | Transportation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 23, 2021

Governor Whitmer Announces 21 Rebuilding Michigan Road Projects

Rebuilding Michigan effort aims to keep drivers safe, jumpstart Michigan’s economy, create good-paying construction jobs.

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced the first 21 state highway projects starting throughout the state as part of the 2021 Michigan Department of Transportation construction season. These projects are a blend of those previously funded through the department’s budget, as well as several supported by the Rebuilding Michigan bonding program.

“This is all about keeping Michigan drivers safe on the road,” said Governor Whitmer. “By taking action now through the Rebuilding Michigan plan, we can start fixing state roads immediately and save money in the long run by cutting down the need for more costly repairs later. The Rebuilding Michigan plan is financed without an increase at the gas pump, and it’ll help jumpstart our economy by creating thousands of good-paying construction jobs. As we get into the spring and summer, you will see more work going on as we move quickly to make up for decades of under investment in infrastructure. Let’s get to work and let’s get it done.”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan program is focused on rebuilding 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.

“Michigan has needed real, sustained investment in our roads and bridges – and the jobs that investment creates – for far too long,” said Operating Engineers 324 Business Manager Douglas Stockwell. “Governor Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan plan finally addresses this issue, and puts our highly skilled, safety-trained members to work doing what we do best: fixing the roads and bridges to keep Michigan running. Good roads benefit communities and good jobs stimulate the economy. This investment creates both. The men and women of Operating Engineers 324 will continue to answer the call.”

“The heavy construction industry stands ready, willing and able to tackle the construction projects that Governor Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan plan will deliver,” said Lance Binoniemi, vice president of government affairs for the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association. “Michigan’s roads and bridges are in desperate need of repair, and this will go a long way towards supporting that need.”

“Rebuilding Michigan will employ Michiganders in good-paying jobs at a time when we need it to grow our economy,” said Business Manager of the Laborers District Council Geno Alessandrini, Sr. “Our members are the best trained workers in the world and they are ready to get to work to keep Michiganders safe on the roads. This investment will do just that.”

Projects starting or resuming in March include:

Continuation of a $121.5 million investment to rebuild I-94 Business Loop (BL) (Main Street), connect US-31 to I-94, and rebuild I-94 between Britain Avenue and I-196 in Benton Township, Berrien County. This is the second season of work on this three-year project funded through the Rebuilding Michigan program.

Rebuilding 3.4 miles of M-3 (Gratiot Avenue) between 11 Mile and 14 Miles roads in the city of Roseville, investing $60 million over two years. This project not only replaces the roadway, but also updates the water main and storm sewer, traffic signals, and sidewalks and ramps to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

$24 million to make extensive improvements to six bridges at the US-31/M-104 interchange in Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg in Ottawa County. Work includes deck replacement, painting, structural steel repairs, and beam repairs.

Rebuilding 12 miles of southbound I-196 from Holland to Saugatuck/Douglas in Allegan County. This $34 million investment supported by the Rebuilding Michigan program and federal funds includes not only road rebuilding, but also culvert replacements and bridge improvements, as well as replacement of the Saugatuck Rest Area.

Significant improvements to 16 bridges along the I-75/US-23 corridor in Genesee County, including steel beam repairs, deck replacements and protective epoxy coating. This $12.3 million investment extends the service life of these structures.

Rebuilding 6 miles of M-37 south of US-31 to M-113 south of Traverse City. This nearly $9 million project includes widening the highway for a center left-turn lane, and construction of new roundabouts at the intersections with Vance and Blair Townhall roads.

Resumption of a $12.5 million project to replace two bridges on M-26 over the east and west branches of the Firesteel River in Ontonagon County. The new bridges will be both wider and safer than the two they are replacing.

Dozens of other road and bridge rebuilding projects are planned for the 2021 construction season through the traditional federal and state funding sources, as well as the Rebuilding Michigan bonding program.

“MDOT’s 2021 program includes rebuilding and resurfacing roughly 920 lane miles of state highways and freeways, and performing preventative maintenance on another 830 lane miles throughout Michigan,” said State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba. “Our department is working quickly to turn the additional funding we’ve been entrusted with into better, safer roads and bridges that support our economy and thousands of jobs.”

As Gov. Whitmer requested, the State Transportation Commission (STC) in January 2020 authorized MDOT to issue $3.5 billion in bonds over four years to finance infrastructure improvements, under authority granted by the Michigan Constitution and Public Act 51 of 1951. Funding raised through bond sales will finance 49 new projects throughout the state, and frees up funding already dedicated to those project for roughly 120 other projects, expanding the scope of that work or advancing project schedules.

MDOT sold a first $800 million package of bonds in September 2020. The very favorable market reaction resulted in a premium as the sale generated nearly $1.1 billion in proceeds. Strong bond ratings from S&P and Moody’s rating agencies reflected the dedicated revenues stream of fuel taxes and vehicle registrations to repay investors, as well as the STC’s policy to limit MDOT’s debt service to 25 percent of revenues.

“After Gov. Whitmer announced her Rebuilding Michigan bonding program, Moody’s issued a report supporting the state’s investment in infrastructure for the impact on our economic competitiveness.” said Patrick McCarthy, Director of MDOT’s Bureau of Finance & Administration. “They also recognized that making those investments now provides value, while delaying increases costs to make repairs to our infrastructure.”

M-24 project in north Oakland County to resume on March 29

by Becky Andrus | Mar 22, 2021 | Transportation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2021

CONTACT: Diane Cross, MDOT Office of Communications, [email protected]

M-24 project in northern Oakland County to resume on Monday, March 29

COUNTY:

Oakland

COMMUNITIES: Orion Township

Oxford Township

Village of Lake Orion

Village of Oxford

ROADWAY:

M-24 (Lapeer Road)

PROJECT RESUMES:

Monday, March 29, 2021

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE:

June 2021

TRAFFIC DETAILS:

In downtown Oxford, northbound and southbound M-24 will have one lane open between Broadway and Center streets. The center left-turn lane will also be open.

In the Orion area, single-lane closures will be in place intermittently as needed to finish remaining work and punch list items.

Project map

PROJECT DETAILS:

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has invested $33 million to rebuild and resurface M-24 (Lapeer Road) in Oakland County.

The remaining work includes tree plantings, irrigation, decorative streetscaping fixtures, bridge epoxy overlay, punch list work, permanent pavement markings, and paving of Drahner Road, Oxford Lake Drive, Glaspie Street, North Oxford Road, and Ray Road. Work is expected to be complete in early June.

Stay informed about this project at www.RestoreM24.info; e-mail updates can be requested at the website.

SAFETY BENEFIT:

Extending the center left-turn lanes, improving the pavement surface, adjusting lane widths, and consolidating driveways will increase motorist safety by reducing the number of potential crash points in this area.

Interchange work requires closing Big Beaver Road under I-75

by Becky Andrus | Mar 17, 2021 | Transportation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2021

CONTACT: Rob Morosi, MDOT Office of Communications, 248-483-5107, [email protected]

Interchange work requires closing Big Beaver Road under

I-75 this weekend in Oakland County

Fast facts:

– Big Beaver Road will close under I-75 at 6 a.m. Friday.

– The closure is needed to safely allow crews to fully open the new interchange.

– After Big Beaver Road reopens, crews will close the I-75/Crooks Road/Corporate Drive ramps for two weeks.

March 17, 2021 — Weather permitting, crews will be closing Big Beaver Road under I-75 starting at 6 a.m. Friday, March 19. The closure between Civic Center and Troy Center drives will safely allow crews to open the new diverging diamond interchange and all ramps at the interchange. Big Beaver Road is expected to reopen by 6 p.m. Monday, March 22.

Posted detours for through-traffic on Big Beaver Road will use Crooks, Maple and Livernois roads. Westbound traffic will be able to access Civic Center Drive and Children’s Hospital. Eastbound traffic will be able to access Troy Center Drive. After this weekend, there will be intermittent lane closures on Big Beaver Road for curb and restoration work.

Further north, punch list work will require the ramps at the I-75/Crooks Road/Corporate Drive interchange to be closed for two weeks. The ramp closures begin at 7 a.m. Tuesday, March 23. All ramp traffic will be detoured to the I-75/Big Beaver Road interchange until 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 6.

Follow I-75 modernization progress on the web at www.Modernize75.com, or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Modernize75 or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Modernize75.

Bridge inspections with drone boats an infrastructure “Gamechanger”

by Becky Andrus | Mar 16, 2021 | Transportation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2020

CONTACT: Dan Weingarten, MDOT Office of Communications, 906-250-4809
[email protected]

Bridge inspections with drone boats
an infrastructure “Gamechanger”

Fast facts:
– The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recently named the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) use of unmanned remote-controlled boats for bridge inspection to the group’s list of ”2021 Infrastructure Gamechangers.”
– Sonar EMILY is a remote-piloted boat that MDOT has been using to combat bridge scour, the degradation of the streambed around bridge abutments due to water currents.
– Unmanned surface vehicles can be much safer and less labor-intensive than traditional bridge inspection methods.

March 15, 2021 — It’s a big recognition for a little boat. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recently named the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) use of unmanned remote-controlled boats for bridge inspection to the group’s list of ”Infrastructure Gamechangers” for 2021. ASCE combed through successful infrastructure solutions across the country to identify 13 of the most innovative examples.

Sonar EMILY (EMergency Integrated LanYard) is a remote-piloted boat that MDOT has been using to combat bridge scour, the degradation of the streambed around bridge abutments due to water currents. Scour is a leading cause of bridge failure.

After a 2016 study, MDOT has deployed EMILY units in the field to measure bridge scour and inspect bridges and culverts where access is limited. Results showed it could be safer, less labor-intensive and, in some cases, less costly than traditional techniques.

A powerful, durable, maneuverable water-jet-powered device, EMILY is about 4 1/2 feet long, 2 feet wide and a foot tall. It can be equipped with sonar to allow inspectors to take depth measurements and a topside camera to view the underside of bridges.

During the unprecedented flood event that struck Michigan in May 2020, MDOT used EMILY to help perform preliminary inspections of bridges across the area.

Midland, Gladwin, Saginaw, Arenac, and Iosco counties were declared disaster areas after several days of heavy rain and multiple dam failures. At its peak, more than 20 state trunkline and local bridges were impacted by flooding, resulting in immediate closures to protect the motoring public. More than 10,000 households were evacuated in Midland County over a 24-hour period.

MDOT focused emergency repair efforts on freeways carrying the highest traffic volumes, working to restore mobility to impacted communities as quickly and safely as possible. EMILY played a role in the rapid response.

”Even while water levels were still on the rise in the flooded areas, we were able to get EMILY in the water to determine if scour was getting worse in some locations,” said MDOT Bay Region Bridge Engineer Paul Schiefer. ”After water levels stabilized, we were able to use the system again to confirm again that there were no scour issues that needed to be addressed before opening a bridge to traffic.”

Some flooded structures were so badly damaged, repairs took nearly a year. Through the flood and the aftermath, EMILY helped cut inspection time – and risk.

”EMILY is a great asset for MDOT,” Schiefer said. ”During the flood response, it allowed us to monitor bridge conditions without putting a diver in a potentially dangerous situation.”

With four units strategically positioned around the state, MDOT is ready to deploy the EMILY system for both extreme high-water events and routine bridge inspections. In addition, the agency plans to use the technology for other applications as appropriate: getting images of bridge substructure below water, viewing the underside of bridges, inspecting hard-to-see culverts, and documenting bridge performance.

MDOT’s drone boat use and the other projects on the Gamechangers list are a sample of industry innovations that can help address the nationwide challenges outlined in the ASCE’s recent 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. The Report Card assessed 17 categories of infrastructure and assigned a grade of C-, a modest improvement from the D+ given in 2017.

For more information on ASCE’s Infrastructure Gamechangers go to https://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/solutions/gamechangers/.

ASCE, founded in 1852, is the country’s oldest national engineering organization. It represents more than 150,000 civil engineers in private practice, government, industry, and academia who are dedicated to advancing the science and profession of civil engineering.

###

Protect workers. Protect drivers. Safe work zones for all.
www.Michigan.gov/WorkZoneSafety

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Drone boat 1

A remote-controlled boat equipped with a sonar unit can maneuver around bridge piers and abutments during a high-water event for safer, more efficient inspections. (MDOT photo)

Drone boat 2

MDOT has deployed four Sonar EMILY (EMergency Integrated LanYard) units for use around Michigan in bridge scour inspections. Unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) like these promise efficient, safe, and cost-effective inspections during high-water events. (MDOT photo)

An example of the kind of imagery acquired by a Sonar EMILY boat. Inspectors can use the images to monitor the streambed around bridge piers. (MDOT photo)

An MDOT research spotlight video on using unmanned boats in use for bridge inspection is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJnrMVSzKqs.

economic development grant to create 241 new jobs

by Becky Andrus | Mar 11, 2021 | Regional News, Transportation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 11, 2021

Contact: Brian Armstrong, MDOT Office of Economic Development, 517-335-2636

Gov. Whitmer announces transportation economic development grant that will support 241 new jobs in Oakland and Macomb counties

LANSING, Mich – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has awarded a state Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) grant that will support 241 new jobs in Oakland and Macomb counties, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced today. The grant will help fund infrastructure improvements related to Avancez, LLC’s new and expanded manufacturing facility on the site of the former Hazel Park Raceway, an Ashley Capital redevelopment project.

“Every Michigander deserves to drive on our roads safely, without blowing a tire or cracking a windshield. This partnership between Avancez and Ashley Capital moves us toward that goal while creating good jobs for Michigan workers,” said Gov. Whitmer. “I am pleased that we were able to collaborate with these companies and Macomb and Oakland counties to fix these roads. Along with the Rebuilding Michigan plan, this partnership will create jobs for Michiganders and improve our state’s infrastructure. Let’s get it done.”

“Avancez, LLC is thrilled with the partnership of MDOT, Macomb County, and Oakland County on the road improvements required to make the Hazel Park location feasible for our use,” said John Doroshewitz, Avancez’s vice president of Sales. “The funding was a key element of the project, which will be providing hundreds of local people a great place to work.”

Avancez is a subsidiary of Android Industries and is a value-added supplier providing just-in-time services to automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). The company specializes in assembling complex modules for installation in OEM assembly plants throughout North America.

Avancez secured a 10-year contract with General Motors to provide a variety of assembled modules for its upcoming Factory ZERO complex at the site of the former Detroit/Hamtramck plant, also a TEDF grant recipient earlier this year. To meet this increased demand, Avancez acquired additional manufacturing space on the site of the former Hazel Park Raceway, an Ashley Capital redevelopment project called the Tri-County Commerce Center.

Ashley Capital is redeveloping the site of the former Hazel Park Raceway. Avancez will occupy slightly more than half of one of the buildings that Ashley Capital has built. Between the building costs and to prepare it for use by Avancez, the two companies have invested $50,000,000 to support the 241 new jobs that Avancez will create.

This TEDF grant will help support work performed by the Macomb County Department of Roads, including rebuilding Dequindre Road from Oakgrove Street to 10 Mile Road. Planned work also includes widening the road to allow for increased commercial truck traffic and a continuous left-turn lane, upgrades to the existing signal at Woodward Heights Boulevard/Stephens Road, and the addition of a signal at Oakgrove Avenue, which will allow for safer access to the Tri-County Commerce Center.

The total project cost is $2,340,788, with $1,404,473 in Category A funds and $936,315 in matching funds from Ashley Capital.

Enacted in 1987 and reauthorized in 1993, the TEDF helps finance highway, road and street projects that are critical to the movement of people and products, and getting workers to their jobs, materials to growers and manufacturers, and finished goods to consumers.

TEDF “Category A” or “Targeted Industries Program” grants provide state funding for public roadway improvements that allow road agencies to respond quickly to the transportation needs of expanding companies and eliminate inadequate roadways as an obstacle to private investment and job creation. Eligible road agencies include MDOT, county road commissions, cities and villages. More information about the program is available online at www.Michigan.gov/TEDF.

The grades are in: U.S. roads get a D+

by Becky Andrus | Mar 9, 2021 | Transportation

The grades are in: U.S. roads get a D+

Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/8082284

While the nation’s roads continue to decline, improvements in rail and some other categories raised the nation’s overall infrastructure grade to C-, a very modest improvement from the D+ grade in the 2017 report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Andy Herrmann, a professional engineer, past president of ASCE and a member of the report card committee since 2001, says he is optimistic that Congress can agree on an infrastructure package.

He echoed U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who told the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) last week, “I’m looking forward to a day when infrastructure week is no longer a ground hog’s day joke but something that delivers investments to the American People.”

In 11 of the report card’s 17 categories, the grade was in the ‘D’ range: aviation, dams, hazardous waste, inland waterways, levees, public parks, roads, schools, stormwater, transit, and wastewater.

The study concluded that, overall, the long-term investment gap continues to grow, as we lose value in our infrastructure. That gap grew from $2.1 trillion over 10 years in the last report to $2.59 trillion, meaning the need now is $259 billion per year.

In terms of funding solutions, Herrmann explained why he thinks a shift away from the fuel tax and to Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) makes the most sense. In his remarks to AASHTO, Sec. Buttigieg suggested a usage levy is necessary.

A Tax Foundation report in August, 2020, thoroughly explores the VMT option, observing that only three states raise enough dedicated transportation revenue to fund transportation spending.

The last Michigan-specific report card, in 2018, assigned a D- grade to roads and gave the state a D overall for infrastructure. That report concluded, simply, that “Michigan’s infrastructure is old and outdated. We’re now faced with pothole-ridden roads, bridges propped with temporary supports, sinkholes destroying homes, and closed beaches.” The report highlighted Michigan’s 21st Century Infrastructure Commission conclusion that an additional $4 billion annually is needed to maintain our infrastructure.

“Michigan must support innovative policies leading to cleaner water, smoother highways, and a safe environment that will attract business and improve our quality of life,” the report said.

View a nationwide map of Dedicated Transportation Tax Revenue, fiscal year 2017.

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

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

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Whitmer Announces 21 Rebuilding Michigan Road Projects

M-24 project in north Oakland County to resume on March 29

Interchange work requires closing Big Beaver Road under I-75

Bridge inspections with drone boats an infrastructure “Gamechanger”

economic development grant to create 241 new jobs

The grades are in: U.S. roads get a D+

The grades are in: U.S. roads get a D+

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