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.

Phase 1 of Center City Redevelopment Plan Starts with Saginaw Road Streetscape Construction

What is happening on the stretch of South Saginaw Road in Midland from Patrick Road to the Circle? In this August 2022 Midland Minute, City of Midland Communications Coordinator Katie Guyer breaks down the exciting changes that visitors to the Center City corridor can expect to see as the S. Saginaw Road Streetscape Renovation kicks off with a completion date in November 2022. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/6jnO77fD5bs

For more information on the S. Saginaw Road Streetscape Renovation project, please visit www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/saginawrd.

Comment on MDOT Draft 2023-2027 5-year Transportation Program before August 31

A reminder that the comment period for the MDOT Draft 2023-2027 Five-Year Transportation Program (5YTP) is open until Aug. 31.  A summary of highlights and contents is included below, and the document is available at www.Michigan.gov/MDOT5YearProgram. Comments can be sent directly to this email, through the interactive map of projects, or other options as outlined below.

 

There are four ways to participate in the 5YTP comment period:

1.       Visit the 5YTP interactive map and leave a project-specific comment,

2.       Leave a non-project-specific comment with our general comment form.

3.       Send a comment by e-mail to MDOT-Five-Year-Program@Michigan.gov, or

4.       Mail a comment to:

Michigan Department of Transportation
Systems Evaluation and Program Development Unit
Five Year Transportation Program
425 W. Ottawa St.
P.O. Box 30050A reminder that the comment period for the MDOT Draft 2023-2027 Five-Year Transportation Program (5YTP) is open until Aug. 31.  A summary of highlights and contents is included below, and the document is available at www.Michigan.gov/MDOT5YearProgram. Comments can be sent directly to this email, through the interactive map of projects, or other options as outlined below.

MDOT Releases REMI 2050 Economic/Demographic Forecasts

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently released new REMI 2050 economic/demographic forecasts for our region, as developed by the U-M’s Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics (RSQE), in partnership with MDOT.   The forecast includes data on population, households, employment, gross domestic product (GDP) and labor participation rates, all by county.

The household (HH) forecast tables include several HH-based variables such as HH size, income, and vehicles.  The other REMI forecast tables include separate tabs for employment, population, employment sector output, population change, and labor force/income/GDP. Founded in 1980, Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI) is based on the idea that government decision-makers should test the economic effects of their policies before they are implemented.

The forecast is the product of:

·         The REMI TranSight® economic and demographic forecasting and simulation model

·         RSQE’s U.S. and Michigan forecasts and forecasting judgment

·         Comments and insights from a number of local Metropolitan Planning Organizations and regional planning organizations

MATS is presenting and summarizing the tables herein for Midland, Bay and Saginaw counties, covering the entire MATS area that includes Williams Township in Bay County and Tittabawassee Township in Saginaw County. 

As can be seen in the summary tables below, the three geographically adjacent counties have somewhat different outlooks in the three key indicators.  A reminder however, that these are only projections, and as such can only be as good as the data and assumptions that went into them. 

In terms of population levels, 2020 starts the tables off with a slightly reduced total, with subsequent decades showing at least some growth from there.  For Bay and Saginaw counties, however, the 2050 population totals are either only slightly above, or even below, the 2020 numbers.  Both counties show declines from 2040-2050. 

This pattern generally holds true throughout the various measures presented here, with the effects of the pandemic being felt across all areas and in multiple ways. 

All data, in Excel tables, can be found here:

MATS FY 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program is Posted for Public Comment

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Comment and Open House Regarding MATS’

 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program

 

The Midland Area Transportation Study (MATS) is seeking public comment on the proposed 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program. The TIP outlines future programmed improvements to the area’s transportation system. It is available for review on the MATS website at www.midlandmpo.org. The public can submit comments to MATS through website, by mail, e-mail, or phone - 989-832-6812 by May 31, 2022.  

An “Open House” to discuss the TIP list and draft TIP Report will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Atrium of Midland County Services Building, 220 W. Ellsworth Street. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, aids/services may be requested to participate in the meeting.

Tri-City Cyclist Group Plans Rides for 2022

According to Mike Colucci, Saginaw Director at Large for the Tri-City Cyclists, at the March TCC Ride planning meeting a plan was put together to have multiple scheduled weekly rides that club members can plan around.  These scheduled rides would be in addition to the weekday ROMEO rides and any impromptu rides that get scheduled.

The proposed schedule that was developed at the ride planning meeting includes the following rides:

Tuesday Evening: Slaughter Fest

Meets at the Senior Center in Midland

This is a paceline ride intended for race training.

We hope to regularly have two groups

Race Group averaging 23+ mph

Fast Group averaging 20-22 mph

Ride Contact:  Matt Ohl

Wednesday Evening TCC Group Ride - Tentatively starting next week Wed. April 20 (depending on weather)

Meets at the Freeland Sports Zone at 6 PM

This is a group ride meaning that the intent is to generally to stay together in groups, not leave riders behind.

We also hope to regularly have at least two groups

Main group averaging 14-16mph

Faster group riding averaging 17-18 mph (Ken Kearns is planning to lead this group)

Ride Contacts:  Mike Colucci, Dave Hawn

Thursday Evening Gravel Ride

Meets at varying locations - more details TBD

Ride contact: Matt Ohl 

Saturday Morning TCC Group Ride - Tenatively starting with the Tore de Sore Buns on May 7

The hope for this ride is to have multiple groups of different speeds and lengths starting from the same location. Details are still being worked out.

Monthly Friday TCC Introductory Ride

We also discussed a slower paced monthly ride intended to introduce club members and non-members to riding safely and comfortably on local roads.   More details TBD

Ride Contact: Thor Brecht

Says the group, “We look forward to having you join us on rides this year.  Feel free to respond to this message with questions or if you are willing to help out as a part time ride leader for any of these rides please respond to this email to let us know what ride you can help with.  Also feel free to respond if there are other types of rides you would like to add to help make happen.”

For more information, see the Tri-City Cyclists website at www.tricitycyclists.org or their contact page here.