100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers

Memorial Day weekend kicked off what is often referred to by traffic safety experts as "the 100 deadliest days," with a dangerous spike in teen traffic fatalities.

According to a AAA review of crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, on average eight people are killed per day in teen-involved driving crashes in the summer, compared to seven per day during the rest of the year. 

There are steps teens and parents can take to save lives. Parents should model safe driving behavior and talk with their teens about buckling up, obeying speed limits, and putting phones away. With teens out of school, summer is also a great time for young drivers to complete a comprehensive driver education course to learn the rules of the road. 

We want all Michigan teens to have a safe summer. Buckle up, put your phone down and obey the speed limit because someone depends on you to make it home safely! For additional resources for Teen Drivers, visit the Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP): Michigan.gov/msp/divisions/ohsp/safety-programs/teen-drivers. 

Southbound I-75 lanes on Zilwaukee Bridge reopened early, northbound lanes closing Aug. 1 for maintenance

SAGINAW, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) reopened all lanes of southbound I-75 on the Zilwaukee Bridge today after early completion of preventive maintenance.  

This work is a part of a two-stage, $2.9 million investment of preventive maintenance on the Zilwaukee Bridge. Work includes expansion joint repair, deck patching and resealing. Now that stage one of work on the southbound lanes is complete, stage two work on the northbound lanes is set to begin Aug. 1. Detour information for stage two will be announced prior to work starting.

Local Non-Rural Obligation Thermometer

The Local Non-Rural Obligation Thermometer tracks how much federal funding local agencies across Michigan have used or committed for transportation projects in the current fiscal year.

• As of April 30, 2025, about $308.2 million in federal funds has been made available.

• This money is used for things like new projects, updates to older ones, and converting previously approved "advance construct" projects.

• Funding is given out on a first-come, first-served basis, so early project approval is important.

• The thermometer is updated monthly (or more often) by MDOT to show how much funding remains.

• Funding amounts can change during the year due to transfers from other programs or adjustments to project costs.

The thermometer is a helpful planning tool for local agencies but does not represent the official accounting. It helps communities keep track of available funding for roads, bridges, and more.

2025 Midland Area Transportation Construction Projects

Planned by Local, County, and State Agencies Across the MATS Region

The Midland Area Transportation Study (MATS) works with many partners to plan and fund transportation improvements. In 2025, several road, bridge, and safety projects will be taking place throughout the region. These projects are led by different implementing agencies, including local governments, road commissions, and MDOT.

Coleman Road bridge improvements over US-10 begin June 2 in Midland County

SAGINAW, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin improving the Coleman Road bridge over US-10 in Midland County June 2.

This work is part of an overall $2.7 million investment to improve 13 structures across Genesee, St. Clair, Arenac, Isabella and Clare counties on M-33, I-75, US-10, M-54 and I-94. Work will include concrete substructure patching, resealing bridge joints, steel rocker bearing realignment, steel beam repairs, heat straightening, painting and temporary supports. Work will progress south to other structures in the project area.

"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:
Coleman

Start date:
Monday, June 2, 2025

Estimated end date:
Thursday, June 12, 2025

Project end date:
October 2025

Traffic restrictions:
Traffic will be maintained with single-lane and shoulder closures on eastbound US-10 from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and until 3 p.m. on Saturday, with no work taking place on Sunday. Coleman Road traffic will be maintained with intermittent single-lane closures under flag control.

Traffic restrictions for future locations during this project will be announced in advance.

Jobs numbers:
Based on economic modeling, this overall investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 26 jobs.

Safety benefit: This work will improve and extend the service lives of these structures. Lane closures during this type of work are necessary to provide the safest work area possible for crews and motorists.

MDOT reminds drivers to avoid toll road scam

Fast facts:

• The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is reminding drivers to follow tips shared by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to avoid toll road scams.

• A recent scam shared with MDOT, includes an imposter government website, mimicking MDOT’s official site.

• MDOT does not operate toll roads and will not solicit payment for bridge tolls via text.

LANSING, Mich. ­– The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is reminding drivers to follow tips and guidelines issued by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, helping Michiganders to avoid falling victim to recent tolling and government imposter scams.

MDOT officials have been made aware of the newest toll road scam, including an imposter government website, which mimics MDOT’s official site, but carries a different URL address. MDOT reminds all drivers that Michigan does not have toll roads and will never solicit payment via text or include threatening verbiage to avoid late fees or harsher penalties.

Attorney General Nessel also is reminding consumers that government agencies: 

• Will not request personal information through email, over the phone or text.

• Will never demand money through email, over the phone or text. They will mail you a notice and offer payment options.

• Do not ask for or take payment by prepaid gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or a payment app.  

This screenshot is being included in a recent round of toll road scam attempts, mimicking MDOT’s website, but featuring a different URL address.

May is National Bike Safety Month

Warmer weather means more bicyclists on the road, so it’s more important than ever for bicyclists and motorists to enjoy the journey and arrive safely by following the rules of the road.

Bicycles on the roadway have the same rights and responsibilities as motorized vehicles. During National Bicycle Safety Month, drivers and bicyclists are called to do their part to help reduce deaths and injuries on our roads.

According to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, in 2023:

• Bicyclists were involved in 1,487 motor vehicle crashes and 24 were killed

• Of those total crashes, 76% occurred during daylight conditions

• Of those total crashes, 78% were male, 19% were female, and 2% had no gender reported

• Of the bicyclist fatalities, 79% were age 21-64

For Drivers:

• Michigan law requires motorists to give at least 3 feet of space when passing a bicyclist, measured from the vehicle’s side mirror.

• Traffic safety is a shared responsibility. When driving, look out for bicyclists, never drive distracted, and look left-right-left and behind when turning right on red. Yield to bicycles as you would other vehicles.

• If you see a bicyclist, maintain a safe distance. Bicyclists are most often killed by drivers who strike them with the front of their vehicles, often at high speeds. The higher the vehicle speed, the higher the likelihood a bicyclist will be seriously injured or killed. 

For Bicyclists:

• Michigan law states bicyclists must ride with traffic and follow the rules of the road; use hand signals when turning or stopping; obey traffic signals, signs, and roadway markings; and ride with no more than two bicycles side by side. Additionally, bicyclists must have a white light on the front of the bicycle and a red reflector on the back of the bicycle when riding in low light and when it is dark.

• Just like how seat belts help save lives in motor vehicle crashes, bicycle helmets save lives too. When bicycling, always wear a correctly fitting helmet.

• Compared to vehicles, bicyclists are harder to see because of their smaller size. To make it easier for drivers to see you, wear high-visibility safety gear, such as a vest or jacket.

• Never text, listen to music, or do anything that can distract you from keeping your eyes, ears, and concentration on the road and traffic. 

For more information on bicyclist safety, visit Michigan.gov/BikeSafe.

MATS Active Transportation Maps - Waterways & Trails

MATS has developed a set of maps that highlight water and trail access across the Midland Area. These resources provide essential information to help people find the best location to start their active transportation journey. Active transportation refers to travel that involves physical activity, such as walking, cycling, or using non-motorized vehicles, like skateboards or scooters.

The kayak and canoe access map offers detailed information on various launch sites, potential other activities, distance to the next launch, and launch type, making it simpler for paddlers to organize their water trips.

Similarly, the walking, hiking, and biking trail map provides details on trail locations and sizes along with surface type to help users find their ideal path. It also includes other potential activities and connections to other trails and parks.