MDOT roadside parks set to close for season

LANSING, Mich. - Most roadside parks operated by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be closed for the season on Friday, Oct. 31.

Three parks will be closing early for the season on Monday, Oct. 20, to begin bathroom building upgrades:

• White Cloud Roadside Park on M-37 in Newaygo County.

• Chase Roadside Park on US-10 in Lake County.

• Baldwin Roadside Park on US-10 in Lake County. 

Some parks will remain open until later this fall.

Closing Friday, Nov. 28:

• Brown Roadside Park on M-25 in Huron County. 

Closing Saturday, Nov. 29:

• White River Roadside Park on M-20 in Newaygo County.

• High Rollway Park Roadside Park on M-82 in Newaygo County.

Closing Monday, Dec. 1:

• Manistee River Roadside Park near Manton on US-131 in Wexford County.

Parks remaining open year-round:

• White Rock Roadside Park on M-25 in Sanilac County.

• Cass River Roadside Park on M-46 in Tuscola County.

• Artesian Flow Roadside Park on M-140 near Watervliet in Berrien County.

 MDOT maintains 82 roadside parks around the state, with nearly all of them closing annually in late October and reopening in late April. A map of all MDOT roadside parks is available on MDOT's website.

MDOT - Toward Zeo Deaths

National Teen Driver Safety Week

Oct. 19-25, 2025

National Teen Driver Safety Week (Oct. 19-25, 2025) is dedicated to raising awareness and seeking solutions to prevent teen injuries and deaths on the road. This grassroots movement has brought millions of teens, parents, schools, law enforcement, advocates, and policymakers from across the country together to tackle a leading cause of death for teens in the U.S. – car crashes.

From seeking change on the local level with a seat belt check or safe driving pledge wall to meeting with elected officials, teens and others are using National Teen Driver Safety Week as a platform to create positive change.

Inexperience, risk-taking behavior, and immaturity are all factors that increase the crash risk for young drivers. National Teen Driver Safety Week is an opportunity for parents and guardians to have conversations with teens about safe-driving habits. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) and its traffic safety partners created the Teen Driving Parental Toolkit to help talk to teens about driving safely.

The toolkit provides useful information and resources that parents and guardians can utilize to help teach their teens safe-driving habits. The kit includes information on driving safely in poor weather, such as fog, rain, ice, and snow; handling special weather hazards, including flooding, snowplows, and black ice; teen defensive driver programs; resources for parents; and more.

Get the conversation started about safe driving behaviors during National Teen Driver Safety Week in your community, school, or workplace. Additional information on teen driver safety can be found on the OHSP’s website.

Northbound I-75 Zilwaukee Bridge Reopened

SAGINAW, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) reopened all lanes of northbound I-75 on the Zilwaukee Bridge in Saginaw County on Tuesday, Oct. 14, after early completion of preventive maintenance.

Drivers should expect intermittent lane, shoulder and ramp closures throughout the project area during the morning into early afternoon hours as crews remove barricades and install new pavement markings.

Law enforcement will assist with traffic control. Motorists should expect delays. This work is weather-dependent. 

This work was done as part of a $2.9 million investment in preventive maintenance on the Zilwaukee Bridge, which included expansion joint repair, deck patching and resealing. Work on the southbound side of the Zilwaukee Bridge was completed in June as a part of this project. This maintenance was necessary to improve and extend the service life of the structure.

MDOT: M-30 Bridge over US-10 Now Open

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. - On Monday, Oct. 13, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) reopened the M-30 bridge over US-10 in Sanford.

M-30 was closed at US-10 as a part of a $7.3 million project to improve the structure. The new bridge will provide drivers with a safer, reliable structure. The bridge now includes a 14-foot-wide separated nonmotorized path on the west side of the structure for future pathway connections.

Intermittent lane and shoulder closures will be possible on M-30 and US-10 as crews finish remaining work.

Project completion was delayed by complications with previously set bridge beams. Beams that were set in May showed signs of cracking. Out of an abundance of caution, crews promptly removed the beams and replacements were obtained. New beams were secured and installed in August.

MDOT public hearing on proposed rules for roadside facilities

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is hosting a virtual public hearing to discuss new administrative rules for properties maintained throughout the state. The proposed rules would apply to all MDOT right of way, including 61 highway rest areas, 82 roadside parks, 267 carpool lots, 23 scenic turnouts and 14 Welcome Centers.

Who:
Interested residents
Commuters
Local businesses

When:
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
6 - 7:30 p.m. 

Both sessions will cover the same information.

Where: 
MDOT administrative rules public hearing
Live webcast presentation followed by an opportunity to provide comments

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 comment:
In addition to the public hearing, comments on the proposed rules can be submitted online via an online comment form, emailed to MDOT-PublicComments@Michigan.gov or written feedback can be left at any MDOT-owned rest area. Comments can also be mailed using the address below. Please provide your comments by Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.

Monica Monsma
Michigan Department of Transportation B245
P.O. Box 30050
Lansing, MI 48909

Background:
The proposed administrative rules provide guidance on the use of MDOT roadside facilities. They address many topics, including long-term parking, camping and sanitation. The proposed rules also provide guidance on service animals, group permits and commercial activities. They propose a 48-hour maximum stay and prohibitions on camping and alcohol, and include misdemeanor penalties for violations. Learn more at Michigan.gov/ROWRules.  

MDOT - Overnight southbound I-75 lane closures, rolling closures Oct. 3 for sign work in Bay County

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will close two lanes as well as implement intermittent rolling closures on southbound I-75 north of US-10 in Bay County for sign work.

This work is part of a $5.3 million investment to upgrade signs and overhead sign structures, guardrails and delineators along I-75 from the Genesee County line north to the Bay County line and from the southern Saginaw County line north to the M-13 connector.

County:
Bay

Highway:
I-75

Closest community:
Bay City

Start date:
9 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

Estimated end date:
5 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

Traffic restrictions:
A double-lane closure will be in place on southbound I-75 during this work. Intermittent rolling closures will be used around midnight to accommodate the safe removal of an overhead truss sign.

Toward Zero Deaths - Teen Drivers Can Become Work Zone Safe

The goal is zero fatalities and serious injuries on Michigan roads through the implementation of the Safe System Approach. Since last week, 28 people died on Michigan roadways making a total of 771 this year. In addition, 140 more were seriously injured for a statewide total of 4,051 to date.

Compared to last year at this time, there are 9 more fatalities and 100 fewer serious injuries.

Numbers are provided by the Michigan State Police.

According to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, in 2024, there were 476,301 licensed drivers aged 15–20 who represented 6.3% of Michigan’s driving population. Sadly, the drivers in this age group represented 10.0% of drivers in all crashes and 7.3% of drivers in fatal crashes.

For teen drivers, the most common hazardous action coded was unable to stop in assured clear distance. Speed too fast was the most common hazardous action coded for fatal crashes. When driving in a work zone, it is important to slow down, stay focused and give yourself extra time.

That is why the ATSS Foundation has partnered with WorkZoneSafe.com to launch a National Work Zone Safe Teen Driver program. The online course is 100% free and modernizes work zone safety education.

This free 50-minute course gives teen drivers ages 15-19 the opportunity to learn about work zone safety. The program is available nationwide, offering a comprehensive national course alongside tailored state-specific versions for Oklahoma and Wisconsin, all designed with a focus on addressing teen driving behavior. The course includes work zone-focused information, like what to do when a driver sees a flagger, what to do while in a work zone, how to get around a truck and more.

Teens who successfully complete the online course are recognized and rewarded for their commitment to work zone safety.

• Receive a Certificate of Completion,

• Entered into a monthly $500 educational scholarship drawing provided by Association of Oklahoma General Contractors or ATSS Foundation, and

• May be eligible for a safe driver discount through various insurance companies by providing their completion certificate.

Visit WorkZoneSafe.com to take the course. For more information about the Teen Driver Program visit Teen Driver Program - ATSS Foundation.

City of Midland - Poseville Preserve Project Update

The Poseyville Preserve Project has reached an exciting milestone with the full installation of the pedestrian walkway, officially named Founders Crossing.

With this progress, E. Main Street between the Poseyville Bridge and State Street is now open to vehicle traffic and parking. Please note that the south sidewalk along the Tittabawassee River will remain closed until the project is completed later this fall. Public access to Founders Crossing will also remain restricted until the project is fully complete.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the Poseyville Preserve Project is scheduled for December 2, 2025.

So, what is the Poseyville Preserve Project?
This initiative restores a former industrial site into a natural riparian ecosystem native to the region. Project features include:

• Founders Crossing pedestrian walkway spanning the Tittabawassee River

• Accessible fishing opportunities

• Connections to walking and biking paths

• Expanded public access to the riverfront

For more information, visit the City of Midland’s project page.