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.

It's nearly Michigan Walk & Roll to School Day!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 27, 2023

CONTACT

Mary Moomaw
Director of Safe Routes to School
517-908-3848 

Michigan Walk & Roll to School Day

LANSING, MI — Michigan students will join children from around the globe to celebrate Bike & Roll to School Day (BR2SD) on Wednesday, May 3. The event is being promoted by Safe Routes to School (SRTS) at Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF), a federally legislated program administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). SRTS programs are designed to make it safe, convenient, and fun for children and their families to walk, roll and bike to school. 

“Bike & Roll to School Day is a great way for communities to come together and celebrate healthy ways to get around. The event presents an opportunity for local leaders and families to meet in real time and build a dialogue around walking and biking to school safely,” said SRTS Director Mary Moomaw. “We encourage participants to keep these conversations going beyond the day of the event and explore extensions with a Safe Routes to School initiative.” 

As a component of SRTS programming, BR2SD emphasizes the importance of pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, concern for the environment and is a way for families, schools, and the broader community to connect.

“We are always excited to work with the Michigan Fitness Foundation on Bike & Roll to School Day,” said Mike Kapp, Administrator, in the Office of Economic Development at MDOT. “Hosting a Bike & Roll to School Day event is a wonderful way to show students the benefits of walking, biking, and rolling to school, and often encourages a larger Safe Routes to School effort.”   

Formerly called Bike to School Day, the name change acknowledges inclusion and equity by encouraging all students to safely walk, bike, or roll to school by being active through whatever means they choose.

The first event was held nationally in 2012 in conjunction with the League of American Bicyclists’ National Bike Month. They modeled it after Walk & Roll to School Day, an international event that began in 1997 by the  Partnership for a Walkable America to bring attention and visibility for safe routes to school. In addition to the official event date, many communities choose to designate the entire month as an acknowledgement to active transportation. 

BR2SD events can be as straightforward or as grand as schools want to plan — from simply inviting students to walk or roll to school, to hosting a bike parade, or organizing a bike train. 

There is still time for schools to register for the event, and all registered schools receive planning assistance from MFF SRTS program staff. To register, visit saferoutesmichigan.org/bike-to-school-day/.

### 

About Michigan Fitness Foundation
The mission of Michigan Fitness Foundation and the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports is to inspire active lifestyles and healthy food choices through education, environmental change, community events and policy leadership. For more information, visit michiganfitness.org.

About Safe Routes to School
The federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program was created by Congress in August 2005 as part of the federal transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU. Currently, SRTS activities are eligible for Transportation Alternatives program funding as authorized by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST ACT) in December 0f 2015. Michigan’s SRTS program is managed by the Michigan Department of Transportation with support from Michigan Fitness Foundation. SRTS grant funds can support both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects. For more information, visit saferoutesmichigan.org.

About Michigan Department of Transportation
Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is responsible for Michigan’s nearly 10,000-mile state highway system, comprised of all M, I, and US-routes. It is the backbone of Michigan’s 120,000-mile highway, road, and street network. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/MDOT/Travel/Safety.