MDOT video highlights another year of significant investment in transportation infrastructure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 21, 2022 

MEDIA CONTACT
Jeff Cranson
517-648-8247
CransonJ@Michigan.gov

MDOT video highlights another year of significant investment
in transportation infrastructure

Fast facts:
- A new Michigan Department of Transportation video highlights some of the most impactful projects statewide in 2022.
- The Rebuilding Michigan program provided another boost in funding to rebuild projects on Michigan's most traveled state highways and bridges.
- The funding supported more than 10,000 jobs across the state this year, and improved infrastructure will pave the way for more economic development and jobs in years to come.

LANSING, Mich. - As winter maintenance crews gear up for a major winter storm in the forecast, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has released a new video highlighting another year of progress in rebuilding Michigan's transportation infrastructure and the impact these projects had on local communities. With more than a billion dollars invested in roads and bridges across the state, MDOT and its partners delivered on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's promise to address decades of underinvestment in the state's transportation system.

The governor's Rebuilding Michigan program provided another boost in funding to rebuild projects on Michigan's most traveled state highways and bridges (I, M and US routes), as well as important tourist routes. These projects supported more than 10,000 jobs across the state, with the improved infrastructure paving the way for more economic development and jobs in years to come.

"No one gets as excited about infrastructure as I do. Over the last four years, we've made some incredible progress to fix those damn roads and bridges, repairing 16,000 lane miles and 1,200 bridges," said Gov. Whitmer. "Think about the incredible amount of work that goes into the engineering, digging up the old, laying all the new foundation. It is an incredible undertaking that has to be done with precision and skill so that we keep people safe on these roads, and that's why I am in awe of the incredible men and women who do this work."

In Flint, a $100 million project along I-69 and the I-475 interchange wrapped up this fall with bridge repairs and 2.5 miles of road rebuilt from Fenton Road to M-54. This busy corridor is vital to the state's manufacturing community and helps support more than 1,200 jobs throughout the area.

"It's really gratifying to see this new 21st century infrastructure that's going to serve our community, serve the people who live here but also help us to attract the kind of investment that is really essential to our future," said U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee.

In Mackinaw City, one of the busiest stretches of road for tourism saw a major overhaul with an important resurfacing and rebuilding project on I-75 and US-23 just south of the Mackinac Bridge, including the US-23 overpass at I-75 being rebuilt. Local law enforcement sees this project as another way to help keep motorists safe.

"MDOT coming in to improve the roadways, curbs, traffic, traffic controls… it's huge," said Mackinaw City Police Chief Todd Woods. "It's a benefit to the village itself and tourists who are coming up to see us."

In Berrien County, a new interchange connecting US-31 with I-94/I-196 finally became a reality after nearly three decades of challenges. The two-year, $94 million project included rebuilding 3.5 miles of I-94 and building new bridges at Britain Avenue and Benton Center Road to help traffic through the newly created interchange. This highly traveled route will benefit from quicker travel times and less congestion, making travel safer through the area.

"It's just great, and it's just going to build our commerce here so much," said Berrien County Commissioner Jim Martin. "This road connects north, south, east, and west now. It's like the hub coming from Chicago, from Indiana, coming down from the north from Grand Rapids, and coming over from Detroit."

More project information is available on the MDOT website.

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Peters Bill to Protect Michigan Communities from Future Changes to Metropolitan Area Standards Signed into Law

12.05.2022

Future Changes Could Threaten Access to Critical Federal Resources for at Least Six Michigan Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, to help protect communities in Michigan from losing access to important federal funding because of possible changes to the population threshold for metropolitan areas, was signed into law. Communities count on this designation for federal funding that goes towards important programs. The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) had previously proposed increasing the population threshold for metropolitan areas from 50,000 to 100,000 which could have threatened access to vital federal resources for communities across the nation, including six in Michigan. Cities that could have been affected by this change include Battle Creek, Bay City, Jackson, Midland, Monroe, and Niles-Benton Harbor. However, following calls from Peters, OMB announced it would halt the proposed change. Peters’ bipartisan bill will ensure that future modifications to this designation are carefully deliberated to prevent unintended consequences.

“Untested changes to metropolitan area standards could put communities throughout Michigan at risk of losing access to vital federal resources,” said Senator Peters. “This new law will ensure that the federal government carefully considers how changes to this classification may impact communities across the nation before they go into effect.”

Metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) were created to standardize and identify the nation’s largest centers of population and activity. Metropolitan and non-metropolitan designations are used by agencies across the federal government to determine eligibility for funding and services. OMB’s previously proposed change could have impacted federal resources for nearly 150 communities across the nation. While losing MSA status may not necessarily result in a loss of federal funds, future changes to the designation should undergo careful consideration to prevent any unintended consequences.

The Metropolitan Areas Protection and Standardization Act will provide needed analysis and transparency by requiring OMB to collaborate with federal agencies to study and disclose the impacts to federal programs before any change to metropolitan area standards can be implemented. The bill will extend the public comment period for potential changes and ensure the public is aware of how MSAs are used to determine federal benefits. Finally, the legislation will also instruct OMB to publish a report on the estimated impact to domestic assistance programs for any proposed change to metropolitan area standards.

The Metropolitan Areas Protection and Standardization Act is supported by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Rural Health Association, the National Association of Counties, the Michigan Municipal League, the Michigan Association of Counties, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, the Battle Creek, Michigan City Manager’s Office, Mayor Marcus Muhammad of Benton Harbor, Michigan, and Kinexus.

Share City of Midland Master Plan Input at the Civic Arena December 14

December 2, 2022 – Share ideas for the future of Midland, take part in the City’s Master Plan update, and support the Midland High School hockey team all in one place this month.

On Wednesday, December 14 from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., members from the Planning Department will be posted in the concourse of the Midland Civic Arena, 405 Fast Ice Drive, to collect public input for the Midland City Modern Master Plan process. Midland High takes on Bay City Western High School in ice hockey at the Civic Arena beginning at 7 p.m.

Residents are invited to visit before the game or take a break from the first period of action to talk about their vision for the future of Midland over the next 30 years. This is a perfect opportunity for anyone who lives, works, shops, or visits in the Bay City Road corridor to be a part of the Master Plan update! There will be no formal presentations, set agendas, or materials to review: just an opportunity to talk with staff about the future of Midland. Look for the City Modern logo and start a conversation! 

Similar events are being planned at other establishments in the coming months. More information on these events will be announced when details are available.

“The key to a successful, inclusive Master Plan that is representative of the entire community’s future vision is public input,” said Director of Planning and Community Development Jacob Kain. “By visiting popular community gathering spaces such as local watering holes, coffee shops, and social amenities, we can meet people where they are and have meaningful two-way conversations.”

The City’s Master Plan serves as the City’s official policy guide and strategy for community improvements and development over the next 30 years. Master plans help maintain a consistent vision in cities while directing redevelopment and change, increasing livability and neighborhoods, and transforming it into a more sustainable, innovative, accessible, attractive, and economically vibrant community. The City’s last comprehensive master planning process took place in 2005 – 2006.   

For more information on the Midland City Modern Master Planning initiative or to view upcoming events and progress completed to date, visit www.midlandcitymodern.com.  

Notice of MATS December 6, 2022 Policy Committee Meeting

This is a notice that the MATS (Midland Area Transportation Study) Policy Committee will hold a meeting on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 10 AM at the Midland County Services Building, 4th Floor Conference (Room 472), 220 West Ellsworth Street, 48640. The agenda and supplemental material for the meeting can be found at the following link:

https://cloud.co.midland.mi.us/s/q6WtJy1bzBZUEM0

During the meeting, an opportunity for public comment will take place regarding transportation issues/projects.

Pursuant to regulations, accommodations can be made for disabled or disadvantaged persons (including limited English speaking ability). To request aids/services contact Maja Bolanowska at 989-832-6333 or email at the link below.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this notice, please do not hesitate to contact us at 989-832-6333, or at info@midlandmpo.com

This notice is used to satisfy the public participation process for the Program of Projects for the City of Midland Dial A Ride, per Chapter 53 of Title 49 US Code.

Notice of MATS November 9, 2022 Technical Committee Meeting

This is a notice that the MATS (Midland Area Transportation Study) Technical Committee will hold a meeting on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 10 AM at the Midland County Services Building, 4th Floor Conference (Room 472), 220 West Ellsworth Street, 48640. The agenda and supplemental material for the meeting can be found at the following link:

https://cloud.co.midland.mi.us/s/IHD0RKD6Sz3psrP

If you have any questions or comments regarding this notice, please do not hesitate to contact us at 989-832-6333, or at majab@midlandmpo.org

Midland's "Word on the Street" podcast discusses Indian/Buttles Reconstruction

Aug 3, 2022 In this latest episode, Katie Guyer, City of Midland Communications Coordinator is joined by Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Projects & Contracts Engineer John Kelley to review preliminary project designs, a construction timeline, and more initial details on the Buttles Street Corridor Improvement Project that were shared during the July 20, 2022 public open house. Word on the Street(s) is a podcast from the City of Midland that explores the future of the Buttles and Indian Corridor Improvement Project, transportation infrastructure, and other projects related to people and places in Midland, Michigan. It is produced by the MCTV Network and is also available as an audio-only production on most preferred podcast platforms. Episodes are released on the third Thursday of every month - or sooner if new information becomes available. For more info on the podcast or to view elements referenced in this episode, visit www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/corridors.