The value of engaging communities

The value of engaging communities

by | Jun 27, 2024 | Transportation

A veteran project manager highlights the value of engaging communities

On this week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation with Mohammed Alghurabi, a long-time MDOT senior project manager being honored this week by the Engineering Society of Detroit.

Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/15318183-a-veteran-project-manager-highlights-the-value-of-engaging-communities

TMT - A veteran project manager highlights the value of engaging communities

Alghurabi is best known in recent years for his work in southwest Detroit communities to prepare for building the Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Michigan and Canada.

However, he’s also managed other big projects, including the building of the last freeway added to the state trunkline system, M-6 (Paul B. Henry Freeway) in Kent and Ottawa counties.

Now his portfolio includes a project to modernize and improve connectivity on urban corridors in Detroit and Grand Rapids, working closely with officials from both cities:

Alghurabi shares his experience building trust with residents, business owners and others affected by the work on the various projects.
Oakland County Applauds New SMART Bus Route 759

Oakland County Applauds New SMART Bus Route 759

by | Jun 27, 2024 | Transportation

news release

Oakland County Applauds New SMART Bus Route 759 to Serve Key Communities Along Highland Road/M-59

Pontiac, Mich., June 27, 2024 – Oakland County is pleased to announce the launch of a new fixed bus route, SMART Bus Route 759, which began operating this week. This route will provide essential public transportation services along Highland Road/M-59, connecting the City of Auburn Hills, the City of Pontiac, Waterford Township, and White Lake Township.

Route 759 will operate 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays offering convenient and reliable transportation for work, school, shopping, and more.

“The launch of SMART Bus Route 759 marks a significant step forward in improving transportation options for our residents,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “This new route opens up opportunities to reach key destinations for jobs, education, shopping and recreational opportunities along the M-59 corridor. “

Key destinations along Route 759 include Oakland University, Waterford Michigan Works! Office, Pontiac High School, McLaren Oakland Hospital, Oakland County International Airport, and the Meijer stores at Pontiac Lake and Bogie Lake roads.

“In 2022, when the people of Oakland County said ‘yes’ to enhanced mobility and access, SMART listened,” said SMART General Manager Dwight Ferrell. “And we’ve been listening ever since. We are engaging community voices through our SMARTer Mobility Program and using what we learn to create a stronger, more responsive, better integrated and more accessible transit system throughout southeast Michigan.”

The establishment of Route 759 is part of Oakland County’s ongoing efforts to expand public transportation, made possible by the public transportation millage approved by voters in November 2022.

For more information about Route 759 and other SMART services, please visit www.smartmovesus.org or call 866.962.5515.
Blue Water Bridge eastbound span project update

Blue Water Bridge eastbound span project update

by | Jun 26, 2024 | Transportation
newsroom
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2024

 

 MEDIA CONTACT
Jocelyn Garza
989-245-7117
[email protected] 

Blue Water Bridge eastbound span project update  

Fast facts:

  • The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) expects to complete maintenance on the eastbound span of the Blue Water Bridge (BWB) in mid-October.
  • Both directions of traffic are currently using the westbound bridge.
  • Wide loads are restricted to less than 10 feet and dedicated lanes are not being provided for buses.
  • Through the remainder of construction, the Pine Grove Avenue ramp to the toll plaza will be closed 9 a.m. Thursdays – 9 a.m. Saturdays.

 

PORT HURON, Mich. ­- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has closed the eastbound span of the Blue Water Bridge (BWB) to complete critical maintenance, expected to be finished in mid-October. This project is managed by MDOT and will address required maintenance on the eastbound BWB span connecting Port Huron, Michigan, and Point Edward, Ontario.

During construction, both directions of traffic will be using the westbound span.

To reduce traffic congestion and improve safety on BWB and in the city of Port Huron, MDOT is closing the Pine Grove Avenue ramp to the toll plaza every Thursday at 9 a.m. until every Saturday at 9 a.m. throughout the rest of construction. This ramp closure will prevent congestion from impacting local streets in the community during peak travel times for bridge users. Pine Grove Avenue ramp traffic will be detoured via Pine Grove Avenue, westbound Hancock Street, westbound I-94, southbound Range Road, and eastbound I-94 to the BWB Plaza.

MDOT will continue to provide a dedicated toll lane for EDGE pass holders.

While MDOT completes this critical maintenance, the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL) will address additional repairs on the eastbound span, much of which is occurring under the bridge deck. MDOT and FBCL are working closely to coordinate work and closures, reducing continual impact on commuters.

BWB customers should expect the following impacts for the remainder of construction:

  • Dedicated lanes for buses are not being provided.
  • Wide loads are being restricted to less than 10 feet.

The BWB is an essential economic link between Canada and the United States. This important project continues the commitment between MDOT and FBCL to maintain and preserve the safety and reliability of the BWB.

 

For more information:

Dave Smith
MDOT BWB
810-434-3274
[email protected]

Jocelyn Garza
MDOT Office of Communications
989-245-7117
[email protected]

MDOT seeks feedback from vulnerable road users

MDOT seeks feedback from vulnerable road users

by | Jun 18, 2024 | Transportation

View or share as web page
newsroom

MDOT on facebook MDOT on Twitter MDOT on YouTube Mi Drive - Know before you go. MDOT on Instagram Sign up for E-mails form MDOT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2024

 

 MEDIA CONTACT
Michael Frezell
517-281-6519
[email protected]

MDOT seeks feedback from vulnerable road users
through survey and open houses 

Fast facts:

  • MDOT is surveying Michigan residents on vulnerable road user safety.
  • A vulnerable road user includes anyone walking, biking or rolling (nonmotorized forms).
  • The 15-question survey is now available through Aug. 18. 

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is conducting a vulnerable road user safety assessment (VRUSA) through a 15-question survey and hosting several public open houses throughout the state to improve understanding of the conditions and behaviors present in fatal and serious injury crashes. VRUs include anyone walking, biking or rolling by nonmotorized forms of transportation on public roads or on foot in work zones.

Who:
Michigan residents
Community stakeholders 

When and Where:
Thursday, June 20, 2024
3 – 7 p.m.
Henry Ford Centennial Library
Community Room M-15
16301 Michigan Ave.
Dearborn, MI 48126

Tuesday, July 2, 2024
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
National Cherry Festival
Pop-up location
Traverse City, MI 49686

Wednesday, July 3, 2024
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Mackinaw City Welcome Center
710 S Nicolet St.
Mackinaw City, MI 49701

Wednesday, July 3, 2024
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
St. Ignace Welcome Center
I-75 N Mackinac Bridge Plaza
St. Ignace, MI 49781

Tuesday, July 9, 2024
5 – 8 p.m.
Ypsilanti District Library – Superior
1900 N Harris Road
Superior Charter Township, MI 48198

Friday, July 19, 2024
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ann Arbor Art Fair
Downtown – Pop-up location
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Tuesday, July 23, 2024
3 – 7 p.m.
Herrick District Library – North Branch
Community Meeting Room
155 Riley St.
Holland, MI 49424

Thursday, July 25, 2024
3 – 7 p.m.
Hoyt Public Library
Auditorium
505 Janes Ave.
Saginaw, MI 48607

Accessibility:
Attendees who require mobility, visual, hearing, written or other assistance for effective participation should contact Orlando Curry at 517-241-7462 or [email protected], preferably at least five business days in advance. Forms are located on the Title VI webpage. Requests made outside of this timeframe will be evaluated and honored to the extent possible. 

Background:
Although Michigan’s VRUSA was completed in 2023, in accordance with the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, MDOT continues to look for opportunities to engage and obtain feedback and continue VRU research. Every year, VRUs are killed or seriously injured on Michigan roads at a rate faster than other road users. With recognition of the importance of safe travel for all, especially VRUs, MDOT and statewide partners have begun to transition to the Safe System Approach (SSA). The SSA represents an evolutionary step in addressing roadway safety as it is human-centered. The SSA is founded on the principle that all humans make mistakes and that human bodies have a limited ability to tolerate crash impacts. It is a redundant system that strives to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries by reducing risks and anticipating mistakes.

Public Input:
For more information and to complete the survey, please visit the VRUSA survey website.
The value of engaging communities

Michigan drivers putting down their phones

by | Jun 13, 2024 | Transportation

New data finds Michigan drivers putting down their phones

On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation with Ryan McMahon of Cambridge Mobile Telematics, a Massachusetts-based firm that tracks data from drivers, participating voluntarily, to analyze statistics and driver behavior.

Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/15243078-new-data-finds-michigan-drivers-putting-down-their-phones

TMT - New Data Finds Michigan drivers putting down their phones

Ryan McMahon

McMahon last spoke on the podcast in November, a few months after Michigan Gov. Whitmer signed the law making it illegal to use a hand-held electronic device while driving.

The news was less sanguine then, but now his firm is reporting updated numbers that show meaningful strides in the right direction.

Some key figures cited:

  • In the first month after the Michigan law was signed, distracted driving went down nearly 12 percent.
  • The next month, it was 13.5 percent lower.
  • The gains then diminished but are headed in a positive direction again.

Michigan Hands-Free Law Impact

Data and graphs provided by Cambridge Mobile Telematics.

Before the Law

Average trips per day: 4.7

Minutes per trip: 20

Minutes driving per day: 95

Hours spent driving per day: 1.58

Phone motion seconds per hour: 108

Phone motion seconds per day: 171

Phone motion time per day: 2:51

After The Law

Average trips per day: 4.7

Minutes per trip: 20

Minutes driving per day: 95

Hours spent driving per day: 1.58

Phone motion seconds per hour: 95

Phone motion seconds per day: 151

Phone motion time per day: 2:30

Cambridge Mobile Telematics Before-After Law Graph

Graph showing the Michigan hands-free law percentage change compared to one moth before the law.

Michigan Hands-Free Phone Motion Per Hour After

Michigan Hands-Free Phone Motion Per Hour After Law

Graph shows relationship of phone motio seconds per hour for one month before law through 12 months.

Phone Motion Trends: Before & After Hands-Free Law

Phone Motion Trends

Graph shows phone motion trends before and after hands-free laws in Ohio, Alabama, Michigan, and Missouri.

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

Stay connected by subscribing to Talking Michigan Transportation e-mail updates.
The value of engaging communities

How public transportation fuels economic development

by | Jun 6, 2024 | Transportation

How public transportation fuels economic development

On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation about legislation that would appropriate economic development funds for community-based programs, including public transportation.

Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/15206567-how-public-transportation-fuels-economic-development

TMT -How public transportation fuels economic development

This week’s guest, Jared Fleisher, who leads government affairs and economic development for Rock (Dan Gilbert’s family of companies), explains why he’s passionate about the proposed bills and their potential to enhance qualify of life across Michigan and attract and retain talent.

Jared Fleisher

On Tuesday, June 4, Fleisher testified in support of the bills before the House Economic Development and Small Business Committee. He framed the issue as an economic development imperative as Michigan is among states struggling to grow its population.

Others supporting the legislation include Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, the Michigan Municipal League, Traverse Connect, Mass Transportation Authority Flint, Market Van Buren, The Rapid, Renovare Development, the Michigan Public Transit Association, Transportation Riders United, SMART, and International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324.

Also discussed:

  • How public transportation has helped transform Grand Rapids, with The Rapid’s many options including the state’s first bus rapid transit lines.
  • Investments in infrastructure like bus rapid transit and M-1 rail spur development.

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

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