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.

MDOT - Eastbound US-10 lane closures Sept. 18 - 29 for maintenance in Midland County

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will implement lane closures on eastbound US-10 from M-18 to W. River Road in Midland County for maintenance. Work will include concrete patching repairs.

"Across Michigan, we are moving dirt and fixing the damn roads to grow our economy, helping Michiganders go to work, drop their kids off at school and run errands safely," said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. "By the end of this construction season, we will have fixed, repaired or replaced nearly 24,500 lane miles of roads and 1,900 bridges, supporting thousands of good-paying, local jobs without raising taxes by a dime. This year, let's build on our momentum to pass a bipartisan local road funding plan so we can keep fixing our damn roads and creating good-paying, local jobs."

County:
Midland

Highway:
US-10

Closest community:
Sanford

Start date:
Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025

Estimated end date:
Monday, Sept. 29, 2025

Traffic restrictions:
Traffic will be maintained with single-lane closures and traffic shifts.

Safety benefit:
This work will provide drivers with a smoother, safer driving surface. 

MDOT - Increased enforcement targets trucks in work zones

On the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation about the Michigan State Police (MSP) deploying added enforcement in freeway work zones.

MC Lt. Jason Zylstra of MSP’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED) explains why they launched special enforcement in segments with major work like the heavily traveled I-96 in Ionia County.

MSP observes that 97 percent of at-fault crashes involving large trucks and buses are caused by driver behavior.

Zylstra also discusses:

• The need for trucks to maintain a proper distance to other vehicles.

• The dangers of trucks blocking lanes in zipper-merge zones and why law enforcement issues citations for that behavior.

• Special inspections for tires, equipment and other components of commercial vehicles.

2024 Michigan traffic crashes and fatalities

September 9, 2025 – 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 688 this year. In addition, 128 more were seriously injured for a statewide total of 3,674 to date.

Compared to last year at this time, there are 11 more fatalities and 55 fewer serious injuries.

Numbers are provided by the Michigan State Police.

The number of overall traffic crashes and fatalities on Michigan roadways rose slightly in 2024, according to recently released data from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Criminal Justice Information Center (CJIC). In 2024, the total number of crashes (288,880) was 927 higher than in 2023. Also last year, while the number of fatalities (1,099) on Michigan roads increased by 4, the number of serious injuries (5,781) decreased by 35 when compared to 2023 (1,095 and 5,816, respectively).

Unfortunately, in 2024, bicyclists experienced profound increases in crashes and/or fatalities from 2023’s statistics. Bicyclist involved crashes (1,773) rose 20%, and bicyclist fatalities (29) rose 21%. While pedestrian involved crashes (2,131) rose 1%, pedestrian fatalities decreased by 15%. Other changes include:

• Work zone involved fatalities (28) rose 17%.

• Motorcycle involved crashes (3,187) increased 4%, and motorcyclist fatalities (168) increased 2%.

• School bus involved crashes (1,044) increased 6%.

Comparing 2024’s statistics to 2023’s numbers, other key findings include:

• Teen (aged 13-19) fatalities (77) rose 17%, while young drivers (aged 20 and younger) crashes decreased by 1%.

• Older driver involved (aged 65 and over) crashes (57,318) increased 4%.

• Drug involved crashes (2,315) rose 3%, and drug-involved fatalities (272) rose 6%.

• Alcohol involved fatalities (307) increased 3%, but alcohol-involved crashes (8,542) fell 3%.

• Distracted driving involved fatalities (65) rose 10%, while distracted driving-involved crashes (14,439) decreased 5%.

To review the crash data report and other related documents, visit the 2024 crash data page.

2021-2024 PASER & Bridge Conditions – State of Michigan and MATS Area Comparison

The Midland Area Transportation Study (MATS) has released a new analysis comparing road and bridge conditions across Michigan and within the MATS area between 2021 and 2024. Using data from the Transportation Asset Management Council (TAMC) Dashboard, the report highlights important trends in pavement and bridge health that guide local and statewide investment decisions.

Roads:
The Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating (PASER) system shows that, statewide, road conditions have been relatively stable, but with a gradual increase in roads rated “Good.” In the MATS area, improvements are more pronounced, particularly on county roads, where the share of “Good” roads now outpaces the statewide average. City and village roads remain the most challenged, but recent data suggests a positive turnaround with fewer “Poor” ratings than in past years.

Bridges:
Bridge conditions present a more mixed picture. Across Michigan, most bridges remain in “Fair” condition, but the share of bridges in “Severe” condition has increased since 2021. Locally, trunkline bridges in Midland, Bay, and Saginaw counties follow statewide trends, while county-owned bridges show greater signs of deterioration. Municipal bridges, such as those in Midland and Sanford, remain stable with nearly all rated “Fair.”