MDOT lifts traffic restrictions to ease Memorial Day travel

Safety benefits: 
- MDOT is suspending work and lifting traffic restrictions wherever possible this holiday weekend to ease congestion and increase safety (81 out of 146 projects).
- AAA Michigan estimates more than 1.2 million Michigan residents are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, a 9 percent increase from last year. 
- Although some equipment and traffic configurations will remain over the weekend, suspending construction operations improves safety for workers and motorists. 
- Remember to buckle up, stay alert and avoid distractions at all times when driving.

LANSING, Mich. - This Memorial Day weekend, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is removing lane restrictions on more than 55 percent of its road and bridge projects statewide to ease traffic delays for holiday travelers. AAA Michigan estimates more than 1.2 million Michigan residents are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, a 9 percent increase from last year.

Beginning at 3 p.m. Friday, May 26, and continuing until 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 30, 81 out of 146 projects statewide will have lane restrictions removed. While motorists will see suspended operations in most MDOT work zones for the weekend, drivers are advised that equipment and certain traffic configurations may remain in place, like temporary shifts or shoulder closures. 

"With holiday traffic expected to be back to nearly pre-pandemic levels, this is a great time to remind drivers of safe habits as everyone takes to the road this summer," said Acting State Transportation Director Brad Wieferich. "Don't forget there is still a record amount of road and bridge work happening out there thanks to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's Rebuilding Michigan program, which means you'll probably be driving through a few of these work zones. We remind all drivers to slow down, stay alert and avoid distractions. You depend on us to fix the roads; road workers are depending on you with their lives. Let's make sure everyone makes it home each and every night."

MDOT oversees I, M, and US routes and is responsible for nearly 10,000 miles of state highways, which carry more than 50 percent of all traffic and approximately 70 percent of commercial traffic in Michigan. 

The following is a list of work zones that will remain active or have lane restrictions during Memorial Day weekend. If necessary, detour routes will be posted at the project location. All closures are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information on MDOT projects, go to the Mi Drive website at www.Michigan.gov/Drive

Upper Peninsula

- I-75 in St. Ignace, Mackinac County, has one lane open in each direction using the outside lanes.

- I-75, Chippewa County, will have one northbound lane open over the Pine River.

- M-26, Keweenaw County, is closed at the Silver River west of Brockway Mountain Drive. Detour via US-41.

- M-69 in Crystal Falls, Iron County, is closed at the Paint River bridge. Detour via North 6th Street, Fairbanks Drive and Wagner Street.

- M-123 north of Newberry, Luce County, has one lane open in alternating directions via temporary signals.

- US-2 in St. Ignace, Mackinac County, has the south side of the overpass over I-75 closed. One lane is open in each direction using the north half of the bridge.

- US-41 in Houghton, Houghton County, has one eastbound lane closed at Franklin Square.

- US-41, Houghton County, has one lane open in alternating directions at Massie Road north of Chassell via temporary signals.

- US-45, Ontonagon County, has one lane open in alternating directions over the East Branch of the Ontonagon River via temporary signals south of Rockland.

- US-141, Iron County, has one lane open in alternating directions over the Net River via temporary signals.

For more information, contact MDOT Superior Region Communications Representative Dan Weingarten at 906-250-4809. Follow the Superior Region on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDOT_UP.

Northern Lower Peninsula

- I-75, Cheboygan County, will have northbound traffic shifted to southbound I-75 with a movable barrier wall.

- I-75 Business Loop (BL), Roscommon/Crawford county line, will have one lane of alternating traffic with a temporary traffic signal.

- M-119 in Harbor Springs, Emmet County, will have one lane of alternating traffic with a temporary traffic signal.

- US-23, Alcona County, is closed from Black River Road to F-41 with a detour on local roads.

- US-31 in Alanson, Emmet County, will have southbound traffic detoured on Milton Road.

For more information, contact MDOT North Region Communications Representative James Lake at 906-250-0993. Follow the North Region on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDOT_Traverse.

West Michigan

- I-96 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, will have one lane open in each direction between Cascade Road and M-11 (28th Street). Lane closures are in effect on the ramps from M-11 to westbound I-96.

- I-196, Ottawa County, will have one eastbound lane and two westbound lanes open between Zeeland and Hudsonville.

- I-196 Business Route (BR) (Byron Road) in Zeeland, Ottawa County, is closed at the I-196 interchange. The westbound I-196 ramp to westbound I-196 BR is open while all other ramps at the interchange are closed.

For more information, contact MDOT Grand Region Communications Representative John Richard at 616-262-1565. Follow the Grand Region on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDOT_West.

Southwest Michigan

- I-69, Eaton and Calhoun counties, will have the following restrictions:
     - One lane open in each direction between I-94 and Stine Road.
     - The southbound I-69 ramp to M-78 is closed.
     - The northbound I-69 ramp to eastbound I-94 closed and detoured.
     - The Ainger Road ramp to southbound I-69 is closed and detoured.

- I-94, Calhoun County, has two lanes open in each direction between Helmer Road and M-96 (Michigan Avenue).

- I-94, Kalamazoo County, has the westbound ramp to Portage Road closed. Portage Road has one lane open in each direction.

- US-12, Branch County, has single-lane closures in place with traffic shifts from Willow Lane to West Old Chicago Street in Coldwater, and one lane open over the Coldwater River with a temporary signal.

- US-31, Berrien County, has one lane open in each direction between US-12 and M-139.

- US-131, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties, has one lane open in each direction between Schoolcraft and Three Rivers.

For more information, contact MDOT Southwest Region Communications Representative Nick Schirripa at 269-208-7829. Follow the Southwest Region on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDOT_Southwest.

Central Michigan and Thumb

- I-69, Lapeer County, will have one lane open in each direction from M-24 to Lake George Road with a traffic shift. The eastbound I-69 ramps at M-24, Wilder Road, and Lake Pleasant Road are closed.

- I-69, St. Clair County, has lane closures and traffic shifts in place from M-19 to Taylor Road. The westbound ramps at Wales Center Road and Taylor Road are detoured.

- I-69 Business Loop (BL) in Port Huron, St. Clair County, will have westbound lanes closed from 24th Street to I-94 BL; detoured via I-94 BL, Lapeer Street, and 24th Street.

- M-15 in Davison, Genesee County, will have shoulder closures and a reduced speed limit from Potter Road to Dodge Road.

- M-20 in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella County, will have one lane open in each direction with a center turn lane from Summerton Road to Mission Road.

- M-25, Sanilac County, will have a lane closure in place at Forester Creek with a temporary traffic signal.

- M-57 in Montrose, Genesee County, will have a traffic shift in place over the Flint River.

- M-65 in Twining, Arenac County, will have a single-lane closure over Big Creek with a temporary traffic signal.

- M-90 in Croswell, Sanilac County, is detoured over the Black River via Todd Road, Galbraith Line Road, and Wildcat Road.

- US-10, Bay County, will have westbound lanes closed from Bay City to the US-10/I-75 interchange; detour via M-13, M-84 and northbound I-75. The eastbound US-10 ramp to southbound I-75 is closed, along with 3 Mile Road over US-10.

- US-10 Business Route, Midland County, will have lane closures and traffic shifts. The Eastman Road ramp to eastbound US-10 is closed and detoured via the Wackerly Street entrance ramp.

For more information, contact MDOT Bay Region Communications Representative Jocelyn Garza at 989-245-7117. Follow the Bay Region on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDOT_Bay.

Southern Michigan

- I-69, Clinton County, has one westbound lane closed between Lowell Road and I-96. 

- I-75, Monroe County, has the following restrictions:
     - One lane closed in each direction with a traffic shift between Erie and Otter Creek roads.
     - The northbound exit ramp to Otter Creek Road is closed. 

- I-94, Jackson County, has the following restrictions:
     - The westbound on and off ramps at Elm Avenue are closed and detoured.
     - The westbound on and off ramps at Parma Road are closed and detoured.

- I-496, Ingham County, has the following restrictions:
     - One lane is open in each direction between Grand Avenue and Lansing Road.
     - The Capitol Avenue and Pine Street bridges over I-496 are closed.

- M-60, Jackson County, has the northbound ramp to westbound I-94 closed and detoured.

- M-99, Hillsdale County, has one southbound lane closed with a temporary traffic signal near Camden Road.

- M-99, Ingham County, has one lane closed in each direction between Petrieville Highway and Wilbur Highway. 

- US-23, Washtenaw County, has the following restrictions:
     - Willis Road is closed over US-23.
     - The southbound US-23/Willis Road entrance and exit ramps are closed.
     - The eastbound Willis Road entrance ramp to northbound US-23 is closed.
     - US-23 and US-12 each have one lane open in each direction at the interchange.

- US-127, Ingham County, has one lane closed in each direction between the Jackson County line and Howell Road. 

- US-127/I-496, Ingham County, has the following restrictions:
     - The eastbound I-496 ramp to northbound US-127 is closed.
     - The southbound US-127 ramp to westbound I-496 is closed.

- US-127, Jackson County, has one lane closed in each direction just north of McDevitt Road.

For more information, contact MDOT University Region Communications Representative Aaron Jenkins at 517-243-9075. Follow the University Region on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDOT_LanJxn and www.twitter.com/MDOT_A2.

Metro Detroit

Macomb County 

- I-94 has one lane open in each direction between 23 Mile Road and County Line Road with the westbound I-94 exit ramp to 23 Mile Road closed, along with the 23 Mile Road entrance ramp to eastbound I-94 closed.

- M-3 (Gratiot Avenue) has two southbound lanes open between 9 Mile and 8 Mile roads.

- M-3 (Gratiot Avenue) has two lanes open in each direction between 14 Mile and Wellington Crest roads.

- M-53 (Van Dyke Avenue) has two southbound lanes open at 14 Mile Road.

- M-59 has the eastbound right-turn lane to Schoenherr Road closed.

Oakland County 

- Cass Avenue is closed over I-94.

- Grand River Avenue is closed over I-94.

- Grand Boulevard (MacArthur Bridge) bridge to Belle Isle has the right lane closed.

- I-75 has the southbound ramp to eastbound 14 Mile Road closed.

- I-75 Business Loop (BL)  has all southbound lanes closed from Prospect Street to South Boulevard, with one northbound I-75 BL lane closed from Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to South Boulevard.

- I-96 has two lanes open between Kent Lake Road and I-275, with ramp closures.

- I-696 has two lanes open between I-275 and Lahser Road, with ramp closures.

- M-1 (Woodward Avenue) will have two lanes open between M-102 (8 Mile Road) to I-696.

Wayne County

- I-94 has the westbound ramps to northbound and southbound M-10 closed.

- I-94 has the eastbound ramp to Grand River Avenue closed.

- I-96 has the westbound ramps to M-39 (Southfield Freeway) closed.

- I-96 has lane closures from Schaefer Highway to M-8 (Davison Highway).

- I-275 has two lanes open from Eureka Road to 5 Mile Road.

- I-375 has lane closures at Madison Street and M-3 (Gratiot Avenue). There is one lane open on the ramp to Madison Street. The southbound M-3 ramp to I-375 closed, along with the northbound I-75 ramp to southbound I-275 closed.

- M-10 (Lodge Freeway) has the ramps to eastbound I-94 closed.

- M-102 (8 Mile Road) will have two lanes open from M-1 (Woodward Avenue) to M-53 (Van Dyke Avenue).

- US-12 (Michigan Avenue) will have two lanes open from Elm Street to Firestone Street.

- US-24 (Telegraph Road) will have two lanes open between 6 Mile Road and M-102 (8 Mile Road).

For more information, contact MDOT Metro Region Communications Representative Diane Cross at 248-752-0336. Follow the Metro Region on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDOT_MetroDet

Four Lakes Task Force Releases Newsletter with 3-Year Progress Report

The Four Lakes Task Force has released its May monthly newsletter to subscribers, and it includes a 3-year progress report on efforts to restore the lakes. Summaries are provided dam by dam, with information on environmental restoration and finances also included. The report can be found here: fourlakes3-yr_report_5.19.23.pdf (four-lakes-taskforce-mi.com)



Midland County Road Commission Releases 2023 Construction Project Information

The Midland County Road Commission now has a portion of its web site devoted to presenting information to the public regarding its 2023 program of construction projects. At the site are a printable map of the program, a complete list of projects, as well as an interactive web map showing project status and updates.


Here is the link to the site: 2023 Construction (midlandroads.com)


Alternative Routes Suggested Near Midland Soccer Complex During Annual Tournament

An estimated 10,000 soccer players and their families will be visiting Midland this weekend as the Midland Soccer Club hosts its 40th annual Midland Invitational Tournament. Tournament play begins Friday, May 12 at 6 p.m. and continues through the weekend, wrapping up late afternoon on Sunday, May 14.
 
Traffic is expected to be heavy in the area of the Midland Soccer Complex all weekend. The Midland Police Department (MPD) will monitor traffic at Jefferson Avenue and Joe Mann Boulevard to assist with traffic congestion issues throughout the weekend.
 
MPD suggests alternate travel routes to and from the Midland Soccer Complex including using the following roads: 

 Eastman Avenue, Commerce Drive and N. Jefferson Avenue;

  •  Waldo Avenue and Diamond Drive, east of the complex. 

All other motorists should also consider alternate routes to the Midland Mall area this weekend, including Eastman Avenue, Airport Road, Waldo Avenue, and Monroe Road. Please be advised that northbound Eastman Avenue is reduced to one lane from Dilloway Drive to Wackerly Street.
 
Drive safely, have patience, plan your travel routes, and enjoy the tournament!

Michigan TAMC Releases 2022 Roads and Bridges Annual Report

Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council Releases

Michigan’s 2022 Roads & Bridges Annual Report

May 2, 2023 – The Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council (TAMC) is proud to present Michigan’s 2022 Roads and Bridges Annual Report. The report was distributed to the Michigan Legislature, State Transportation Commission and Michigan Infrastructure Council (MIC) as directed under Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) 247.659a(9).

The report highlights Michigan leading the nation in local asset management practices nationwide and reflects on TAMC’s 20-year journey since creation in 2002. Added highlights in this report includes information on the first submission cycle of local road agencies reporting for Transportation Asset Management Plans (TAMPs) based on PA 325 of 2018, gravel roads data, Act 51 investment reporting, and traffic signal inventory survey.

Michigan’s 2022 Federal Aid eligible paved roads maintained the gains made in 2021:

  • 25% Good

  • 42% Fair, and

  • 33% in Poor condition.

Over 290 road agencies collected road condition on 90% of their federal-aid road network. Two milestones of highest accuracy of PASER road condition data and most non-federal-aid lane miles of road condition collected in 20 years. This is vital to quality data and for further inventory and data collection of the complete road network in the State.

Michigan’s 2022 bridges declined in condition, continuing a trend since 2014:

  • 34% Good,

  • 54% Fair,

  • 8% Poor, with 4% falling into “Severe” condition.

The Severe category is a warning that these structures are in jeopardy for closure due to structural concerns that could pose a threat to traffic. Local bridges closed due to condition increased by 15% in 2022.

Michigan’s 2022 Roads and Bridges Annual Report can be viewed, along with previous annual reports, dashboards, and interactive maps at www.Michigan.gov/TAMC. The extensive data for this report was achieved through a cooperative effort of individuals from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), city, village, and county road agencies, in coordination with regional planning agencies, and metropolitan planning organizations.

Share input on a potential two-way conversion of Ashman & Rodd

Share input on a potential two-way conversion of Ashman & Rodd


May 02, 2023 08:33 am | The City of Midland

 

For nearly two decades, the City of Midland has been considering the potential conversion of Ashman and Rodd Streets from one-way pairs to two-way traffic. A study conducted in February 2022 by OHM Advisors concluded that a two-way conversion is a feasible option for both Ashman and Rodd Streets from Ann Street to Cambridge Street/Saginaw Road. 

While this potential conversion has been discussed for several years and would not be implemented for several more, other roadway projects impacted by Ashman and Rodd have presented a unique opportunity to make this decision now. In a new input topic, the City is currently collecting comments from residents, organizations, and street network users about this potential conversion as it relates to common topics: Traffic flow, traffic safety, economic development, non-motorized transportation, and more. You will not be asked to "vote" at any time or answer any questions about this initiative.

How will this feedback be used? Input received on this topic and information received from the previous open houses will be shared with City staff and the Midland CIty Council to assist in decision-making regarding a two-way conversion of Ashman and Rodd and, if a conversion is implemented, to design corridors that incorporate this feedback as much as possible. 

This topic will be open for input through Wednesday, May 10 at 7 a.m. Click the button below for more information and to begin. 


High Water Mark - Midland Business Alliance hosts community event May 22, 2023

(Courtesy of Midland County’s Newsletter)

The Midland Business Alliance (MBA) Advisory Committee on Infrastructure is holding a

community event on Monday, May 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Dow Diamond’s third-floor TriStar

Club. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with general seating, and presentations will begin promptly at 1

p.m. The “High Water Mark” event is focused on efforts to reduce mid-Michigan flooding and to

build resiliency and water quality.

The event will feature a presentation from Nick Zager, chief of planning for the U.S. Army Corps

of Engineers – Detroit District. In addition to a brief history of the Corps, the type of work they do,

and other projects in the Detroit District area, Zager will provide a progress update on the Corps’

hydraulic/hydrologic study that is currently underway with the County of Midland and the MBA

Advisory Committee on Infrastructure as community partners. He will also talk about a second type

of study on the horizon.

The Advisory Committee will also provide a progress report on its efforts and “return on investment” to the community since it was formed in 2021. An update on proposed flood reduction projects in the Snake Creek, Sturgeon Creek and Inman Drain area will be provided by the committee co-chairs, J.W. Fisher and Lee Ann Keller.

The afternoon includes a panel discussion on the watershed health and the importance

of eco-sensitive flood reduction solutions. The panel will include Elan Lipschitz from Little Forks Conservancy, Dennis Pilaske from the Chippewa Nature Center, Mike Kelly from the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network (WIN), Kyle Rorah from Ducks Unlimited, Helen Taylor from The Nature Conservancy and, as moderator, Bre Sklar from Omni Tech International.

Other speakers include Mary Draves, chair of the MBA Board of Directors; Tony

Stamas, president and CEO of the MBA; Bill Schuette, member of the MBA Advisory

Committee on Infrastructure; Dave Kepler, president of Four Lakes Task Force; and Bridgette Gransden, administrator/controller for the County of Midland.

At the end of the presentations, there will be a Q&A session so the community has an opportunity to ask questions. Then the event will close with comments from Mayor Maureen Donker, Midland City Council.

Near the third anniversary of the May 2020 flood, the Advisory Committee wanted to create an

event that reviews progress and starts to frame what the future may look like,” said Fisher. “We

appreciate all of our speakers who will provide updates and further the discussion. We are very

lucky to have the Corps of Engineers, the nature organizations and other leaders so willing to be

involved in the event.”

“Because we know that not everyone who is interested will be able to attend, we thought it was

important to record the event,” said Keller. “The video will be available on MCTV and on the

MBAmi.org/FloodStudy webpage soon after the event. That way, the greater community will be

able to watch the informative presentations from the afternoon.”

This community event is free. Free parking is available in the stadium’s parking areas at State

Street and Buttles Street. Enter the stadium at the “home plate gate” along State Street. Any

questions about the event can be directed to the MBA at mba@MBAmi.org.

About the MBA Advisory Committee on Infrastructure

Formed in 2021 by the Midland Business Alliance Board of Directors, the advisory committee’s

structure is made up of MBA board members, members of the community at large, an MBA staff

representative, and ex officio (non-voting) representatives from the Four Lakes Task Force, the

County of Midland and the City of Midland. The committee was charged with determining how best to work with local, state and federal partners to address longstanding issues that impact citizens, the business community and economic development. The first task was to address legacy flooding challenges and related sanitary sewer issues. In addition to communicating with stakeholders and collaborators, the committee also reports back regularly to the MBA Board of Directors. Visit MBAmi.org/FloodStudy for more information.

About the Midland Business Alliance

The Midland Business Alliance (MBA) represents more than 3,000 businesses as Midland’s

business hub. The goal of the MBA is to support the attraction, development and growth of

businesses throughout Midland by providing an integrated portfolio of tools and resources.

Additionally, the MBA manages the Midland Area Farmers Market and Midland Blooms. Visit

MBAmi.org for more information.