by orionontv | Aug 25, 2025 | Transportation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT
August 25, 2025 Diane Cross
CrossD2@Michigan.gov
MDOT Metro Detroit bridges at risk of closure within the decade without more funding
Fast facts:
- MDOT is reviewing critical unfunded infrastructure needs across the state, including more than 100 state trunkline bridges at risk of closure by 2035, if policymakers don’t act soon.
- The westbound I-96 bridge over M-39 (Southfield Freeway) is one bridge in Metro Detroit in danger of closing by 2035 if not rebuilt.
- Statewide, these bridge closures will have a daily impact on more than 1.8 million drivers and the roadways they serve.
- Without a comprehensive transportation funding package, MDOT estimates the capital highway program will support about 2,800 fewer construction jobs in 2026 than the current year.
DETROIT, Mich. – As the 2025 construction season moves into the second half of the season, officials with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) are looking at the big picture regarding the service lives of critical roads and bridges. MDOT is highlighting this need in a video news release about the westbound I-96 bridge over M-39 (Southfield Freeway) in Metro Detroit, ahead of important discussions among policymakers, as the future of road and bridge funding hangs in the balance.
About two-thirds of MDOT’s bridge inventory has far exceeded its original design life. MDOT now faces the possibility of more than 100 trunkline bridges closing to traffic by the year 2035, impacting approximately 1.8 million drivers daily, if a comprehensive transportation funding package isn’t secured. While maintaining quality roads is a priority for MDOT, bridge conditions especially, must meet a minimum rating to remain safe and open to the public.
The I-96/M-39 interchange in Wayne County is no exception to the aging bridge epidemic. There are 19 bridges in this complicated interchange of freeways and local lanes that handles approximately 300,000 drivers a day. The westbound I-96 bridge over M-39, which carries 45,000 vehicles per day, is a bridge within the interchange at risk of closure. City of Detroit Chief of Infrastructure Sam Krassenstein shared concerns for critical investment to ensure it continues to meet the needs of current industry, residents and people visiting or commuting into the city.
“The I-96 Southfield interchange is really at the center for industry, it’s the center for a major public works facility, and for a lot of residents that live adjacent to it,” said Krassenstein. “So, for folks that need to go between 96 and Southfield, keeping those bridges open and in a state of good repair is really critical.”
Within the MDOT Metro Region’s three counties, 180 bridges are anticipated to be in poor condition and 37 of those bridges are at risk of closure by 2035. Nearly 1,000 of Metro Region’s 1,400 bridges are approaching or exceeding 50 years old.
Bridge replacements can take an average of two years to design and another one to two years to reconstruct, closing it to the public. While bridge replacements are expensive initially, they are considered a long-term asset and are now designed with an 80 to 100-year service life.
“At this rate, by decade’s end, nearly 50 percent of state routes, which carry 53 percent of total traffic and 80 percent of commercial traffic, will be in poor condition,” said MDOT Director Bradley C. Wieferich. “Without additional investment, those projections will get worse.”
“If there is no long-term solution to Michigan’s road-funding crisis, considerable progress in recent years will be stalled, meaning contractors will employ fewer workers and road conditions will decline,” said Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Susan Corbin. “The effects would spread across industries and communities, causing job losses, shrinking economic activity and creating long-term challenges for Michigan’s workers and families.”
During a recent Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, Rebecca Curtis, MDOT’s director of the Bureau of Bridges and Structures (BOBS) shared the reasoning behind the rapidly declining bridge conditions statewide. Curtis explained that most of the state’s bridge inventory was built in the 1950s and designed with a 50 to 60-year service life. Because most bridges were built in the same decade, the structures have aged in sync.
As MDOT works to continue addressing declining road and bridge conditions, securing a comprehensive road funding package is becoming more critical. Following the conclusion of the Rebuilding Michigan program, MDOT will see a decrease of more than half the annual reconstruction budget, bringing the yearly investment for rebuilding of roads from
$495 million per year to just $222 million per year, and supporting about 2,800 fewer construction jobs in 2026.
by orionontv | Aug 20, 2025 | Transportation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2025 |
|
MEDIA CONTACT
John Dulmes, executive director
Michigan Public Transit Association
517-930-0008
John@MPTAonline.org |
Michigan Celebrates Excellence in Transit:
Transit Impact Awards, MDOT Service Awards,
and Small Bus Roadeo Winners Recognized
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Public Transit Association (MPTA) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced today the inaugural Michigan Transit Impact Awards spotlighting the best in public transportation statewide, with featured competitive categories such as Transit Rising Stars, Innovative Transit Projects, Outstanding Communications Projects, and Friends of Michigan Transit.
Michigan’s transit community has recently celebrated significant accomplishments in public transportation. Honoring individuals, agencies and projects that set the standard for excellence, innovation and dedicated service, the 2025 Transit Impact Awards, MDOT Service Awards and Small Bus Roadeo highlight outstanding contributions that benefit Michigan residents.
“As we recognize those shaping Michigan’s transit landscape, each award stands for countless acts of commitment, creativity and service,” said John Dulmes, executive director of the Michigan Public Transit Association. “Transit professionals and agencies across the state are driving progress and forging connections, ensuring public transportation stays essential for communities of every size.”
MDOT also presented 20 local transit agencies with commemorative plaques honoring their decades of service to their communities.
“These plaques are more than just a symbol; they represent the decades of dedication and resilience our transit agencies have shown as they connect people to opportunity and strengthen the fabric of our Michigan communities,” said Jean Ruestman, administrator of MDOT’s Office of Passenger Transportation.“We’re proud to honor their service and commitment to public transportation.”
Finally, the 48th Annual Michigan Small Bus Roadeo, hosted on July 31 by the Michigan Association of Transportation Systems (MASSTrans), brought together the state’s top rural and community transit operators for a showcase of skill and dedication. The top three individuals advance to the national small bus roadeo, which will be held in Omaha, Nebraska, in May 2026.
“We are proud to celebrate the dedication and expertise of Michigan’s rural and community transit professionals,” said Ken Jimkoski, MASSTrans president. “The Small Bus Roadeo is more than a competition. It’s a chance to recognize the vital role transit operators play in keeping our communities connected and running smoothly every day.”
Please see below for a complete list of 2025 awardees:
2025 Michigan Transit Impact Awardees
Michigan Transit Rising Stars
· Becky Carten-Crandell, Executive Director, Saugatuck-Douglas Interurban Transit Authority
· John Comparoni, Driver, North Oakland Transportation Authority
· Luca Leffew, Driver, Benzie Bus
· People’s Express (Organization)
Innovative Transit Projects
· Barry County Transit’s Lighthouse Academy Route
· Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) Headquarters and Workforce Housing Project
· Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) SMARTer Mobility
· Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Service (STARS) Memorial Cup Initiative
Outstanding Communications Projects
· Regional Transit Authority (RTA) for Southeast Michigan’s QLINE and Detroit Air Xpress Campaigns
Friends of Michigan Transit
· Benzie Senior Resources
· Cass County Transportation Authority and Mary Cathleen Jones
· Rep. Greg Alexander, R-Carsonville
· Rep. Jason Morgan, D-Ann Arbor
2025 MDOT Transit Agency Service Awardees
50 Years:
Alma Transit Center
Belding Dial-a-Ride
Big Rapids Dial-A-Ride
Dowagiac Dial-A-Ride
Gladwin City/County Transit
Harbor Transit
Hillsdale Dial-A-Ride
Manistee County Transportation
45 Years:
Charlevoix County Public Transit
Eaton County Transportation Authority
Interurban Transit Authority
Ionia Dial-a-Ride
Ogemaw County Public Transportation
Otsego County Bus System
Roscommon County Transportation Authority
Schoolcraft County Public Transportation
40 Years:
Bay Area Transportation Authority
25 Years:
Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency
Allegan County Transportation
20 Years:
Detroit Transportation Corporation (People Mover)
2025 Michigan Small Bus Roadeo Winners
Individual Awards:
1st Place: Dustin Stirrett, Huron Transit Corp.
2nd Place: Wayne Kinney, Huron Transit Corp.
3rd Place: Jeremy Fetterolf, Gladwin City-County Transit
Q’straint Driver of the Year: Heather Browne, Gladwin City-County Transit
Rookie of the Year: Dustin Stirrett, Huron Transit Corp.
Team Awards:
1st Place: Huron Transit Corp.
2nd Place: Gladwin City-County Transit
3rd Place: Yates Dial-A-Ride
by orionontv | Aug 15, 2025 | Transportation
08/15-08/18/25 WEEKEND WORK for MDOT (I, M, US roads)
This weekend construction, in addition to on-going projects other than these locations. Always check Michigan.gov/drive for this info and for ALL projects and follow @MDOT_MetroDet.
Multiple work crews may be involved in these closures. WEATHER AFFECTS ALL WORK AND MAY CAUSE DELAYS OR CANCELLATIONS.
I-75:
Wayne – NB I-75 CLOSED Schaefer to Clark, Fri 9pm-Mon 5am, inc. all ramps, bridge work.
Wayne – NB I-75, Clark St to US-12/Michigan, 1 LANE OPEN, Fri 9pm-Mon 5am, road work.
Wayne – NB I-75 RAMP CLOSED to NB M-10, Fri 9pm-Mon 5am, road repair.
I-94:
Macomb – WB I-94 RAMP CLOSED to 10 Mile, Mon-Wed 10am-3pm.
I-96:
Oakland – WB I-96, Kent Lake to Kensington, 1 LANE OPEN, Sat 5am-Mon 5am, bridge work.
Oakland – NB/SB Kent Lake RAMPS CLOSED to WB I-96, Sat 5am-Mon 5am, bridge work.
M-3:
Macomb – SB M-3 at Martin Rd, 2 LANES OPEN, Fri 7am-Mon 3pm.
Macomb – EB M-3/23 Mile, Gratiot Ave to I-94 right lane closed Sat 7am-7pm.
M-8: (Davison)
Wayne – WB M-8 RAMP CLOSED to NB M-10, Fri 8pm-Sun 10pm, bridge work.
M-10: (Lodge)
Wayne – NB M-10, M-8/Davison to Linwood, 2 LANES OPEN, Fri 8pm-Sun 10pm, bridge work.
Wayne – NB M-10 CLOSED, Griswold St to I-75, Fri 9pm-Mon 5am, bridge work.
Wayne – SB M-10, 7 Mile to 6 Mile, 1 LANE OPEN, moving lane closures, Sat 7am-7pm.
M-19:
Macomb – SB M-19 at Main St, center turn lane closed, Fri 9am-Mon 5am.
M-29:
Macomb – EB/WB M-29, Baker Rd to Huntley Ave, 1 LANE OPEN, Mon 7am-Sun 7pm.
M-39: (Southfield)
Wayne – NB M-39 RAMPS CLOSED TO EB/WB M-153/Ford Rd, Sat 4am-7pm, paving.
Wayne – SB M-39 RAMP CLOSED to M-153/Ford Rd, Sat 7am-3pm, paving.
M-53:
Macomb – NB M-53 RAMPS CLOSED to EB/WB M-59/Hall, Sat 6am-Sun 7pm, paving.
M-59:
Macomb – WB M-59 RAMP CLOSED to NB M-53, Sat 6am-7pm, paving.
Oakland – WB M-59/Huron, State/Williams St to US-24/Telegraph, 1 LANE OPEN, Mon-9am-late Aug, watermain.
Oakland – EB M-59/Huron, US-24/Telegraph to Genesee Ave, 1 LANE OPEN, Mon 9am-late Aug, watermain.
M-153: (Ford Rd)
Wayne – WB M-153/Ford RAMP CLOSED to NB M-39/Southfield, Sat 4am-7pm, paving.
US-12: (Michigan)
Wayne– EB US-1 2, Lilley to Haggerty, 1 LANE OPEN, Mon-Tue 9am-4pm, utility work.
US-24: (Telegraph)
Wayne – SB US-24, Northline to Eureka, 1 LANE OPEN, Mon 6am-late-Sept, bridge work.
Gov. Whitmer 
First, Heath Salisbury, financial secretary and training director for Operating Engineers 324, talks about what investments in infrastructure mean to people in the skilled trades and the thousands of jobs involved.
Later, Karen Faussett, who manages MDOT’s statewide and urban travel analysis section, talks about how her team tracks the economic benefits of 
Beckie Curtis, director of the Bureau of Bridges and Structures at the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), explains the stark reality.
