by orionontv | Aug 4, 2025 | Transportation
Four weeks to 2025 Mackinac Bridge Walk
ST. IGNACE, Mich. – For the safety and convenience of all those participating in the 2025 Mackinac Bridge Walk, the Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) will again start the event from both ends of the bridge, at Bridge View Park in St. Ignace and the Jamet Street ramp in Mackinaw City.
Starting the walk in both cities, as it has been since 2018, eliminates the need for busing and offers additional options for participants.
Additionally, due to its success in 2024, the walk will begin on the north end of the bridge from Bridge View Park on the west side of I-75 rather than at the MBA administration building. As most participants who start in St. Ignace already park at Bridge View Park, starting the walk from that side reduces the number of people crossing the interstate before the event begins. Participants who park on the east side of I-75 will be guided across the road before and after walking the bridge.
“These changes to the Annual Bridge Walk format we’ve made over the past several years have made it safer and easier for everyone to participate in this beloved event,” said MBA Bridge Director Kim Nowack.
A video posted on the MBA website at www.MackinacBridge.org/Walk explains the bridge walk schedule and choices people have whether they start from the north or south ends of the bridge.
Walkers essentially have three main options:
- Starting from either end of the bridge and walking toward the center, turning around at the midpoint and returning to the city they started from, where their transportation is located. The turnaround points will move toward the ends of the bridge beginning at 10 a.m. but walkers can walk at least a portion of the bridge if they start by 11:30 a.m. Walkers must be on the side of the bridge they wish to return to before 10 a.m.
- Walking the entire length of the bridge starting from either end. Those who choose this option must reach the midpoint before 10 a.m. or they will be turned back. Anyone who walks the entire bridge must arrange their own transportation back to the side they started once the bridge reopens to public traffic at noon.
- Crossing the bridge, starting from either end, and then turning around and walking back to the side they started from. In this option, walkers will need to cross the midpoint on their return trip by 10 a.m. or they will be turned back and need to find their own transportation back across the bridge after it reopens at noon.
As with the last several events, because walkers can start from either end of the bridge when they arrive, there will be no buses transporting participants across the bridge. Participants must plan accordingly to ensure they end their walk on the same side of the bridge as their transportation. The MBA does not provide any shuttle service after the walk and cannot guarantee outside shuttle services will be offered.
The bridge will again be closed to public traffic during the 2025 walk, from 6:30 a.m. to noon on Labor Day, Sept. 1, based on recommendations from the Michigan State Police and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Emergency vehicles will still be permitted to cross the bridge, but no public vehicles will be allowed until the walk concludes and participants are off the bridge.
The bridge walk has been an annual event since 1958, with the exception of 2020. The 2024 walk will be the 67th event. Between 20,000 and 35,000 people have participated in recent years; 30,000 participated in the 2024 event.
by orionontv | Jul 28, 2025 | Transportation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT
July 25, 2025 Diane Cross
CrossD2@Michigan.gov
MDOT public open house Aug. 4 on pedestrian bridge study
in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) invites the public to provide their input on the usage of pedestrian bridges in their community. This open house is part of a series that will be held in different locations around MDOT’s Metro Region.
Attendees will be able to view posters, take a survey and view a presentation outlining MDOT’s efforts through this study to better understand the usage of state-owned pedestrian bridges in the region.
Who:
Interested residents
Community stakeholders
Local businesses
MDOT staff and consultants
When:
Monday, Aug. 4, 2025
6:30 – 8 p.m. Presentation begins at 6:45 p.m.
Where:
Grace Community Church
21001 Moross Road
Detroit, MI 48236
Accessibility:
Attendees who require mobility, visual, hearing, written, or other assistance for effective participation should contact Orlando Curry at 517-241-7462 or CurryO@Michigan.gov, preferably at least five business days prior to the scheduled meeting. Forms are located on the Title VI webpage. Requests made after this timeframe will be evaluated and honored to the extent possible.
Public input:
If you use one or more pedestrian bridges in MDOT’s Metro Region, please fill out and share this interactive map/survey. If you have comments or questions regarding the study, please email MDOT-Metro-Communications@Michigan.gov.
Sign up to receive project updates on the pedestrian bridge study.
Background:
MDOT is conducting a study of state-owned pedestrian bridges in MDOT’s Metro Region. The study team will collect data on current conditions and travel patterns, perform onsite observations and engage with people across the region to identify priorities and better understand community needs. The study’s data will be used to develop a future strategic plan for preserving nonmotorized connectivity with a right-sized network of pedestrian bridges and other active transportation facilities.
by orionontv | Jul 25, 2025 | Transportation
07/25-07/28/25 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.
Grand River:
Oakland – EB/WB Grand River CLOSED at Halsted intermittently, Sat 7am-8am, utility work.
I-75:
Wayne – NB/SB I-75, Schaefer to Dearborn St, 3 lanes open, Fri 7AM-1pm, barrier wall.
Wayne – NB/SB I-75 RAMPS CLOSED to SB M-10/Lodge, Fri 9pm-Mon 5am, road repair.
I-94:
Macomb – EB/WB I-94 ramps to 23 Mile, 1 ramp lane open, Fri 9am-Sat 10am, paving.
Macomb – WB I-94 at Henry B Joy Blvd, 1 LANE OPEN, Mon 9AM-12pm, bridge work.
I-696:
Macomb – EB/WB I-696 RAMPS CLOSED to NB Mound, Tues 9am-11am, bridge work.
Oakland – EB I-696, Middlebelt Rd to Inkster, 1 LANE OPEN, Sat 5am-2pm, bridge work.
Oakland – WB I-696, Greenfield Rd to Lahser Rd, 1 LANE OPEN, Sat 7am-2pm, pavement markings.
M-3: (Gratiot)
Macomb – NB/SB M-3 CLOSED at 23 Mile, Sat 9pm-Sun 10am, paving.
Macomb – WB 23 Mile CLOSED I-94 to Gratiot Ave, Fri 9pm-Sat 10am, paving.
M-8: (Davison)
Wayne – EB/WB M-8 RAMPS CLOSED to SB M-10, Sat 12am-10am, road work.
M-10: (Lodge)
Wayne – SB M-10 CLOSED I-75 to Griswold, Fri 9pm-Mon 5am, road work.
Wayne – SB M-10 RAMP CLOSED to Bagley, Fri 9pm-Mon 5am, road repair.
Wayne – NB/SB Trumbull RAMPS CLOSED to SB M-10, Fri 9pm-Mon 5am, road repair.
Wayne – NB M-10 RAMP CLOSED to WB M-8, Sat 12am-9am, road work.
Wayne – SB M-10 RAMP CLOSED to EB M-8, Sat 2am-5am, road work.
M-14:
Wayne – NB/SB Sheldon at M-14, 2 LANES OPEN, Mon 6am-Thu 10pm, bridge work.
M-85: (Fort St)
Wayne – EB/WB M-85 CLOSED Miller Rd to Denmark St, Fri 9AM-Mon 5am, bridge work.
by orionontv | Jul 24, 2025 | Transportation
How safety cameras slow down drivers in school zones
On this week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, Garrett Dawe, engineer of traffic and safety for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), talks about a pilot project to study the use of safety cameras for automated enforcement in school zones.
 An appropriation in the Fiscal Year 2025 state budget called for MDOT to conduct a pilot project on automated speed enforcement in school zones. Dawe explains that his team has been studying proposals and will make an announcement soon of a vendor to conduct the pilot.
According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), at least 12 states (Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Washington) conduct school-zone automated speed enforcement. In Georgia and Rhode Island, school zones are the only locations where automated speed enforcement is allowed in the state.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics, between 2011 and 2020, 218 school-age children (ages 18 and younger) died in school transportation-related crashes; 44 were occupants of school transportation vehicles, 83 were occupants of other vehicles, 85 were pedestrians, five were bicyclists and one was an “other” nonoccupant. |
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by orionontv | Jul 21, 2025 | Transportation
Reminder: MDOT Career Fest returns for second year,
expands with help from LCC
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is excited to announce the return of its Career Fest on July 22-23, offering the public another opportunity to explore a wide range of transportation careers and connect directly with professionals working across the department. In-person and virtual sessions will be available.
Now in its second year, Career Fest has grown significantly. MDOT has partnered with Lansing Community College (LCC) West Campus to accommodate high demand and ensure participants have ample space to explore all the opportunities available.
“The response to last year’s Career Fest made it clear people are eager to learn about careers at MDOT,” said State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich. “Thanks to our partnership with LCC, we’ve expanded the event to welcome even more attendees and continue building a strong pipeline of transportation talent.”
With more than 100 career classifications represented, attendees will meet MDOT staff, explore career paths and learn about open positions and qualifications.
For more information and to explore career opportunities at MDOT, visit www.Michigan.gov/MDOTCareers or contact James Fults at FultsJ@Michigan.gov or 517-230-8004.
In-Person Session
4 – 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, 2025
LCC West Campus
5708 Cornerstone Drive
Lansing, MI 48917
Registration encouraged.
Virtual Session
4 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Platform: Radancy
Registration required.
by orionontv | Jul 10, 2025 | Transportation
After a series of work-zone crashes, what can be done?
On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation with Gregg Brunner, chief operations officer at the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), about recent deadly crashes in or near work zones.
 On June 24, a truck driver was killed and MDOT workers were injured in a crash on I-75 in Monroe County.
In another, July 1, two people were killed in a crash in a work zone queue on I-96 west of Portland.
 Brunner composed a poignant message to department employees with a reminder of the need to be vigilant about safety.
From his message:
We talk often about safety, but these events are painful reminders of just how critical it is every single day, in every single task. Whether you’re in a work zone, near active traffic, in one of our garages or facilities, or behind the wheel, your actions matter. Safety is a mindset, not a checklist. It’s about being present, engaged and always looking out for one another.
Brunner talked about benefits to be found in developments in technology to alert drivers and the promise of driver-assist technologies in vehicles, as outlined by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). |
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