EVs, magnets and drones. Oh, my!

by orionontv | Jun 13, 2025 | Transportation

EVs, magnets and drones. Oh, my! On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a check-in with Joann Muller, the Detroit-based transportation correspondent for Axios. Muller explains the thinking behind General Motors officials’ announcement to invest $4 billion in the U.S. and move some vehicle production back from Mexico. She also offers some insight she gained in reporting on negotiations between the U.S. and China over rare earth magnets, underscoring the need for the U.S. to develop a long-term strategy. Also discussed: The likely result of easing regulations that have held back commercial drones in the U.S.

Dr. Fraud: Do NOT respond to texts about unpaid tolls

by orionontv | Jun 4, 2025 | Transportation

Dr. Fraud: Do NOT respond to texts about unpaid tolls On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation with J. Michael Skiba, also known as “Dr. Fraud,” a national expert on scams, like those proliferating in Michigan and other states, where text messages tell people they have unpaid road tolls. Skiba is department chair at Colorado State University Global where he oversees the Criminal Justice Department, including specializations in fraud, financial crime, and cybercrime. He discusses the psychology that prompts so many victims of online fraud to engage with scammers on smishing attempts. If you’ve been targeted, the FCC offers many tips. In April, the Michigan Department of Transportation released a video of Director Bradley C. Wieferich urging people not to respond to the texts.

Predicting how long a road will last

by orionontv | May 22, 2025 | Transportation

Predicting how long a road will last On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation with a trunkline pavement strategy specialist about how the work in his area helps inform investment decisions. Tim Lemon, who works in the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Bureau of Transportation Planning, talks about how pavement condition is measured and how the data is used. He explains that remaining service life (RSL) is MDOT’s primary pavement condition performance measure, which indicates the number of years before the pavement is anticipated to reach poor condition. It reflects the anticipated time in years that a pavement section can continue to provide acceptable levels of service, considering factors such as distress, structural integrity, ride quality, and functionality. He also explains that while state trunklines (I, M and US routes) don’t account for the majority of road miles in the state, they carry 53 percent of total traffic and more than 75 percent of commercial traffic in Michigan.

Weather delays Mackinac Bridge joint replacement completion

by orionontv | May 15, 2025 | Transportation

Weather delays Mackinac Bridge joint replacement completion

ST. IGNACE, Mich. – Cold, rainy weather early in the season has delayed completion of this year’s work to repave portions of the Mackinac Bridge and replace a modular joint, which will result in extended lane closures.

While contractors have completed replacement of half of the modular joint over Pier 34 on the bridge at the start of the north viaduct span, as well as repair and repaving the southbound lanes of the north viaduct, work continues on replacing the other half of the modular joint on the northbound lanes of the bridge. That work is currently anticipated to be completed by May 29, about a week later than expected.

“We worked with the contractor to ensure that the planned work could be completed prior to the Memorial Day weekend, but poor weather conditions delayed this year’s start of work and the modular joint installation took longer than expected,” said Bridge Director Kim Nowack. “Unfortunately, this means that there will be lane closures in place for the holiday weekend, but crews are working diligently to wrap the project up and get those lanes reopened.”

Weekend traffic peaks between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. often result in traffic backups, even with all toll lanes open. Drivers should consider crossing at off-peak times or prepare for delays.

“While Memorial Day weekend typically marks the seasonal increase in traffic volumes on the bridge, we fortunately did not see backups during last year’s work, and traffic flowed smoothly,” Nowack said. “We hope that will be the case this holiday weekend.”

To ensure the work is completed prior to the seasonal rise in traffic volumes on the bridge, the scope of work for this season was reduced with the goal of reopening all lanes of the bridge before Memorial Day weekend.

Deck repairs and repaving of the remaining sections of the southbound side of the bridge will be scheduled at a later date as a separate project.

Last year, the northbound side of the bridge was repaired and repaved. While scheduled for completion prior to Memorial Day 2024, work and lane closures extended into mid-June.

Will congress move quickly on a highway bill?

by orionontv | May 8, 2025 | Transportation

Will congress move quickly on a highway bill? Congressional leaders of various infrastructure committees have shown some interest in adopting a multi-year surface transportation reauthorization bill, offering departments of transportation and contractors some certainty, well ahead of the current act’s expiration in 2026. Susan Howard, policy and government relations director for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), returns to the podcast to share what she’s hearing in conversations on Capitol Hill. Late last month, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves released a budget reconciliation proposal. Howard explains what that means, where the conversations will move from here and what the reduction in work force at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and other U.S. Department of Transportation agencies could mean.

MDOT lifting all remaining spring weight restrictions Friday

by orionontv | May 7, 2025 | Transportation

MDOT lifting all remaining spring weight restrictions Friday

LANSING, Mich. ­- Effective 6 a.m. Friday, May 9, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will lift the remaining seasonal weight restrictions on all state trunkline highways in the state of Michigan. State routes typically carry M, I or US designations.

Weight restrictions are implemented during the spring frost thaw period and are now completed for the 2025 season.

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.