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.

Proposed Non-Motorized Projects Open House May 19

The City of Midland, in partnership with the Midland Area Transportation Study (MATS), invites community members to learn more about two proposed non-motorized projects in Midland. An open house will take place on Monday, May 19 from 4 – 6 p.m. in the community room of the Law Enforcement Center, located at 2727 Rodd St.

Attendees will have the opportunity to review conceptual designs for the proposed Rodd St. and Stratford Woods non-motorized projects and provide feedback on those designs. These project concepts were developed through a multi-agency pilot project coordinated by MATS which seeks to increase utilization of Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding throughout Michigan. TAP is a source of federal funding which supports the construction of non-motorized transportation infrastructure. This planning and feasibility pilot will enable the City to pursue a grant for construction of the projects laid out below, which could cover between 50-80% of the project cost.

The pilot projects are as follows: 

• The Stratford Woods Multi-Use Path Connector: A new multi-use path connecting Patrick Rd.’s existing multi-use path to E. Ashman St. via the gas pipeline right-of-way and Stratford Woods. This project aligns with the City Master Plan and the MATS long-range transportation plan.

• Rodd St. Non-Motorized Transportation Route: Implementation of a non-motorized transportation route along Rodd St. from Ann St. to Cambridge St., informed by feedback received during the Ashman and Rodd St. community conversations. 

• E. Patrick Rd. Multi-Use Path: An extension of the existing multi-use path on the south side of Patrick Rd. from its current terminus east of Illinois Dr. to the eastern city limits. This proposed path would connect with a proposed Bay County connector trail east of the city limits that is also part of the pilot program. An open house on this project will occur at a later date.

  For more information or questions regarding non-motorized pathway plans in Midland, please contact the Planning and Community Development Department at (989) 837-3374 or email planning@midland-mi.org. 

Poseyville Preserve Pedestrian Walkway Scheduled for Placement in May 2025

An exciting milestone is on the horizon as the City of Midland prepares to set the pedestrian walkway over the Tittabawassee River at the Poseyville Preserve starting early to mid-May.

Residents are welcome to view the progress from the overlook deck at the Poseyville Bridge underpass on Main Street. For safety reasons, public access to the construction site from the Poseyville Preserve side is strictly prohibited. Kayak and boating access on the Tittabawassee River will be prohibited while the walkway is being set in place.  Drones will also be prohibited in the area to prevent any disturbance with the large cranes used to move the walkway into place. Drivers are reminded to not stop on Poseyville Road or Poseyville Bridge to view the project.   

Progress photos will be shared throughout the installation on the City of Midland Parks and Recreation Facebook page and the City of Midland website at https://cityofmidlandmi.gov/1919/Poseyville-Preserve-Project. 

East Main Street, including on-street parking, will remain closed to through traffic from just east of the Poseyville Bridge to State Street until early August. Main Street will be open and parking maintained through Cronkright Street, including the Riverside Place parking lot.

Funded entirely through philanthropic support, the Poseyville Preserve Project—led in partnership with the Midland Baseball Foundation—will transform a formerly vacant industrial site into a vibrant greenway that reconnects the community with downtown Midland and the Tittabawassee River. This project includes ecological restoration and a new pedestrian walkway over the river, creating a loop connecting Poseyville Preserve, Dow Diamond, Founders Park, Downtown Midland, the Tridge, and the St. Charles ballfields.

This redevelopment improves the visual appeal of the downtown corridor and activates an underutilized stretch of the riverfront. New walking and biking trails, fishing piers, and a scenic overlook will promote healthy living and attract a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts to Midland’s natural spaces.

For more information, please contact Midland Parks and Recreation at (989) 837-6930.

Midland County Sheriff - Emergency & Alerts Application

The Midland County Sheriff’s Office app is available for download. The app is free, and can be found by searching, “Midland County Sheriff, MI” in your app store.

One of the important features include– emergency notifications and alerts. The Sheriff’s Department will be pushing out emergency information in real time for things such as road closures, serious weather conditions, and criminal matters that we feel are important to share in urgent situations.

 Please feel free to share the app with your family and friends as well!

Nighttime US-10 closures start May 20 for M-30 bridge work in Sanford

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is investing $7.3 million to replace the M-30 bridge over US-10 in Sanford. As a part of the construction process, MDOT will close US-10 nightly to safely allow crews to set beams.  

"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

Highways:
M-30
US-10

Closest community:
Sanford

Start date:
Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Estimated end date:
Thursday, May 22, 2025

Project end date:
August 2025

Traffic restrictions:
Westbound US-10 will be closed from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting Tuesday, May 20, and ending the morning of Wednesday, May 21. Traffic will be detoured via northbound M-30, westbound Curtis Road and southbound M-18 back to US-10.

Eastbound US-10 will be closed from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting Wednesday, May 21, and ending the morning of Thursday, March 22. Traffic will be detoured via northbound M-18, eastbound Curtis Road, southbound M-30, eastbound Shaffer Road, and southbound Stark Road back to US-10.

M-30 is currently closed over US-10 for the duration of this project. Southbound M-30 traffic is currently detoured via westbound US-10, southbound W. River Road and eastbound US-10 back to southbound M-30. Northbound traffic is detoured via eastbound US-10, northbound Stark Road and westbound US-10 back to northbound M-30.

Jobs numbers:
Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 70 jobs.

Safety benefit:
Closing US-10 during construction work is being done to allow crews to safely perform beam setting work, as well as preserve driver safety.

The new bridge will provide drivers with a safe, reliable structure. The new bridge will include a 14-foot-wide separated nonmotorized path on the west side of the structure for future pathway connections.

Comment on the MATS FY26-29 TIP Report and Proposed Projects

MATS is excited to announce the release of the proposed 2026-2029 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and we want to hear from you! The TIP outlines federally funded transportation improvements planned for the Midland area over the next four years.

How to Participate:

You can review and comment on the draft TIP document here: https://www.midlandmpo.org/fy26-29-tip. You can also provide comment through our website at midlandmpo.org or by emailing Alicia Williams, Transportation Planner, at aliciaw@midlandmpo.org or Maja Bolanowska, Director, at majab@midlandmpo.org.

We encourage you to share your feedback and comments by May 18, 2025.