The Mighty Mac’s expanded Antarctic connection

by orionontv | Apr 17, 2024 | Transportation

The Mighty Mac’s expanded Antarctic connection

ST. IGNACE, Mich. – When Brendan Fisher began his 13-month adventure as a heavy equipment mechanic for the United States Antarctic Program (USAP), he brought pieces of the Mackinac Bridge with him. When he returned, he brought a piece back, as well as stories to accompany it, that he presented this month to the Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA).

At the MBA’s April 5 meeting in Dimondale, Fisher presented the authority with a shadowbox containing a piece of the bridge’s original deck grating and photos from his time at the South Pole. A noticeable circular piece is absent, representing a disc that is now part of the ceremonial South Pole marker more than 9,000 miles away.

Fisher, whose assignment in Antarctica ran from October 2022 to November 2023, and fellow South Pole adventurer Hans Suedhoff brought the gift and a photo book documenting the Mackinac Bridge pieces that were incorporated into a sign, photo frame, and both the ceremonial and geographic South Pole markers.

Fisher had previously built the sign from a 38-foot piece of the original deck grating he purchased through auction in November 2020, proclaiming the distance from the South Pole to the Mackinac Bridge (9,394 miles), which is on permanent display at the station.

There are two pole markers since the Antarctic 9,300-foot-thick ice sheet (roughly a third of the length of the Mackinac Bridge) moves about 10 meters per year. “There’s Mackinac Bridge in both of them now,” Fisher said.

The Authority thanked Fisher and Suedhoff for the gift, which recognizes the bridge and the team in the Antarctic.

“I think it’s absolutely fantastic,” said MBA Member Barbara Arens. “You’re very talented.”

Each year, the geographical South Pole is replaced on Jan. 1. Once the year’s marker is retired, it joins its predecessors in a display cabinet at the Antarctic station for 20-30 years until the cabinet fills to capacity. After that, the markers are sent to the Smithsonian, where they stay “until the end of eternity,” Fisher said.

The team also used pieces of round steel stock from the bridge to make four bolts that joined corners of a photo frame for a picture of last year’s “winterover” crew at the station, which included Fisher and Suedhoff.

MDOT launching public survey to collect travel data

by orionontv | Apr 16, 2024 | Transportation

MDOT launching public survey to collect travel data vital to
transportation planning in the state

Fast facts:

• MDOT is launching a household travel survey, MI Travel Counts, this week.
• Randomly selected households in Michigan will have the opportunity to participate via smartphone application, web or telephone.
• Data collected from this survey will provide information on how travel behavior has changed over the past 10 years and inform forecasts to help shape Michigan’s transportation system.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is kicking off a household travel survey that will provide information necessary to set transportation priorities for the next 20 years. Starting April 15, randomly selected households across Michigan will have the opportunity to provide details regarding how they travel.

The survey, MI Travel Counts, will be conducted by nationally recognized research firm Resource Systems Group, Inc. (RSG) on behalf of MDOT. Survey results will help transportation planners better understand how, when, where, and why people travel in and around the state of Michigan. Last conducted in 2015, this update will help planners account for the many changes in travel that have occurred, like the prevalence of remote work, the increase in online shopping, and greater use of ridesharing and delivery services.

Randomly selected households will receive an invitation to participate in the survey via U.S. Mail. Upon accepting the invitation, household members will provide demographic data and then report their travel either via a smartphone application, online or by telephone. The information provided to MI Travel Counts will be anonymized and aggregated to calculate statistics for study purposes.

This survey will be conducted in three phases. The first is scheduled from April 15 through early June, with additional phases anticipated in spring 2025 and fall 2025.

Invited households will be selected at random across the state, with survey materials available in English, Spanish and Arabic. Participation is possible through smartphone application, web or telephone. For more information about MI Travel Counts, visit www.MITravelCounts.com.

About RSG:

RSG conducts research on behalf of public and private sector clients using software applications, smartphones, websites, surveys, computers, tablets, and other means of collecting data. They specialize in designing, implementing and applying sophisticated data-driven models with in-depth analytics to help clients understand why people and systems do what they do.

Annual spring weight restrictions changing on Michigan’s roads

by orionontv | Mar 26, 2024 | Transportation

Annual spring weight restrictions
changing on Michigan’s roads

LANSING, Mich. ­- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) continues to adjust spring weight restriction areas in an annual move to protect roads.

Effective 6 a.m. Monday, April 1, weight restrictions will be lifted on all state trunkline highways from the southern Michigan border north to and including US-2/US-141 at the Menominee River bridge west of Iron Mountain then east on US-2 to St. Ignace, then north on I-75 to M-134, then east to and including M-134 on Drummond Island.

Frost restrictions are still in effect for the remainder of the state and will be imposed and enforced on all state trunkline highways north of US-2, I-75, and M-134 and on M-185 on Mackinac Island. State routes typically carry M, I, or US designations.

In the restricted areas, the following will apply:

• On routes designated as “all-season” (designated in green and gold on the MDOT Truck Operators Map), there will be no reduction in legal axle weights.
• All extended permits will be valid for oversize loads in the weight-restricted area on the restricted routes. Single-trip permits will not be issued for any overweight loads or loads exceeding 14 feet in width, 11 axles, and 150 feet in overall length on the restricted routes.
• On routes designated as “seasonal” (designated in solid or dashed red on the MDOT Truck Operators Map), there will be a posted weight reduction of 25 percent for rigid (concrete) pavements and 35 percent for flexible (asphalt) pavements, and maximum speed of 35 mph for some vehicles.

Drivers must follow the speed limits for weight restricted roads, per state law. Go online for speed restrictions for trucks and the rules for propane fuel delivery and public utility vehicles.

When roads that have been frozen all winter begin to thaw from the surface downward, melting snow and ice saturate the softened ground. During the spring thaw, the roadbed softened by trapped moisture beneath the pavement makes it more susceptible to damage. This contributes to pothole problems already occurring due to this winter’s numerous freeze-thaw cycles.

MDOT determines when weight restrictions begin each spring by measuring frost depths along state highways, observing road conditions, and monitoring weather forecasts. Weight restrictions remain in effect until the frost line is deep enough to allow moisture to escape and the roadbeds regain stability.

County road commissions and city public works departments put in place their own seasonal weight restrictions, which usually, but not always, coincide with state highway weight restrictions. Signs are generally posted to indicate which routes have weight restrictions in effect.

For weight restriction information and updates, call 800-787-8960, or you can access this information on MDOT’s website at www.Michigan.gov/Truckers, under “Restrictions.” All-season routes are designated in green and gold on the MDOT Truck Operators Map, which is available online. You also may sign up to receive e-mail alerts.

Trucking companies located in New Jersey and Canada can obtain information by calling 517-373-6256. 

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Work zones are temporary,
Bad decisions behind the wheel can last forever.

How Complete Streets support mobility for all

by orionontv | Mar 21, 2024 | Transportation

How Complete Streets support mobility for all On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation about revisiting the state’s Complete Streets policy, adopted by the State Transportation Commission in 2012. Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/14732350-how-complete-streets-support-mobility-for-all Amy Matisoff, whose duties include strategic alignment and outreach for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), explains why she’s spearheading a survey of Michigan residents to get feedback on the existing policy and what they’d like to see revised or updated. Later, she talks about another of her roles as the department’s tribal liaison and her work in that area. Some related links: How the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) tracks policies across the country https://www.transportation.gov/mission/health/complete-streets-policies Smart Growth America’s overview of Complete Streets https://smartgrowthamerica.org/what-are-complete-streets/ A WXYZ-TV story on the survey https://www.wxyz.com/news/mdot-launches-survey-to-help-improve-roads-for-pedestrians-and-vehicles

Eastbound Blue Water Bridge improvements

by orionontv | Mar 18, 2024 | Transportation

Eastbound Blue Water Bridge improvements shifting all traffic to westbound bridge starting May 29

– The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will complete maintenance on the eastbound span of the Blue Water Bridge (BWB) May 29 to October.
– This work will close the eastbound span of the BWB from the U.S. to Canada, carrying both directions of traffic on the westbound bridge span.
– During work, wide loads will be restricted to less than 10 feet and dedicated lanes for commuter pass holders and buses will not be accommodated.

PORT HURON, Mich. ­- Beginning May 29, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will close the eastbound span of the Blue Water Bridge (BWB) to complete maintenance. This project will be managed by MDOT, and address required maintenance on the eastbound BWB span connecting Port Huron, Michigan, and Point Edward, Ontario.

To reduce impacts on traffic, both directions of BWB traffic will be carried on the westbound span. One outgoing lane will be reserved for eastbound traffic heading into Canada, becoming two lanes after center span. One outgoing lane will be reserved for westbound traffic heading into the U.S. and becoming two lanes after center span. MDOT is coordinating this work with maintenance the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL) will complete to reduce impacts to customers.

While the westbound BWB span carries both directions of traffic, the following impacts should be expected:

• Dedicated lanes for commuter pass holders and buses cannot be accommodated.
• Wide loads will be 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 Blue Water Bridge
810-434-3274
[email protected]

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

I-75 project in northern Oakland County delayed

by orionontv | Mar 14, 2024 | Transportation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     MEDIA CONTACT

March 14, 2024                                                                       Diane Cross

                                                                  [email protected]

 This weekend’s planned traffic shift for I-75 project

in northern Oakland County delayed

VILLAGE OF CLARKSTON, Mich. ­– Due to unforeseen delays, the traffic shift planned for the I-75 project between M-15 (Ortonville Road) and the Oakland/Genesee county line this weekend is cancelled. The traffic shift instead will occur mid- to late next week. Once in place, there will be two lanes of traffic in each direction on the existing southbound I-75 lanes throughout construction.

Upcoming Closures:

Beginning 3 a.m. Wednesday, March 20, through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31:

• Northbound and southbound I-75 will have two lanes open in each direction between M-15 and Baldwin Road with traffic shifted to the southbound I-75 side of the freeway.
• The following entrance ramps will be closed:
  • Northbound M-15 to northbound I-75
  • Southbound M-15 to northbound I-75
  • Northbound Dixie Highway to northbound I-75
  • Southbound Dixie Highway to northbound I-75
  • East Holly Road to northbound I-75
  • Dixie Highway (Mile Marker 106) to northbound I-75
• Only the northbound I-75 Exit 101 ramp to Grange Hall Road will be closed. All other exits on northbound I-75 will be open.
• The Davisburg Rest Area on northbound I-75 will be closed.

As the work is weather dependent, it might get pushed until the following weekend.

Current Closures:

• Southbound I-75 will be reduced to one lane for barrier wall setting from Baldwin Road to M-15 through Tuesday, March 19.
• Southbound I-75 Exit 106 to Saginaw Road is closed through late fall.
• The Saginaw Road entrance ramp to southbound I-75 (Mile Marker 106) is closed through late fall.
• The Dixie Highway entrance ramp to southbound I-75 (Mile Marker 93) will be closed though late fall.

Funding for this project is made possible by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan program to rebuild 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 improve the condition of the state’s infrastructure.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is investing approximately $160 million to resurface and repair I-75 from M-15 (Ortonville Road) to the Oakland/Genesee county line. This project includes resurfacing I-75, repairing 11 bridges, drainage improvements, culvert replacements, signs, and guardrail. Various work will be performed in different locations with different schedules throughout the 15 miles over four years.

Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 1,936 jobs.