Michigan Notes

[afguy]

MDOT is now moving into the 3rd phase of the PEL Study for U.S. 131 in Grand Rapids. They are currently conducting an online survey through the end of the year. I able to get some screenshots of some of the potential changes along this corridor. I really to like the option of having Wealthy Street go under U.S. 131.

wealthystredesign by Brandon Dolley, on Flickr

MLKinterchangedesign by Brandon Dolley, on Flickr

https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/news-outreach/pressreleases/2023/11/01/mdot-online-survey-two-public-meetings-to-discuss-rebuilding-options-for-us-131-in-grand-rapids

[JREwing78]

MDOT's railroad project to replace the overpasses of Mechanic St and Jackson St in Jackson has been completed.

It's not clear from the photos how much of a clearance improvement they achieved; the old overpass at Mechanic St was 10' 0", while Jackson St was 11' 9".

https://www.facebook.com/MichiganDOT/posts/pfbid02ydjszYa788nvUGNHsGMSZizCRwkmk31b74kmLAsX1bdJVdc1DKVMKoUmHiyiBeo8l

According to MDOT's response to a question in the comments of this Facebook post, the clearance on Mechanic Street is now 10' 7" and the clearance on Jackson Street is now 14' 6".  MDOT's response also noted several factors prevented a higher Mechanic Street clearance :  The M-50 intersection, other nearby grade separations, and the water table.

It's a good compromise; Jackson St was more likely to attract truckers looking to scalp their rides, and now any legal tractor-trailier can use it. MLK Dr is a couple blocks away for any trucks that need to access Mechanic St north of the railroad.

The appearance of both crossings are also vastly improved; the old bridges were solidly in ruin-porn territory.

[The Ghostbuster]

The left-handed off and on-ramps should have been removed or realigned to the right-hand side a long time ago. Since Wealthy St. currently passes over the US 131 freeway, I believe it should continue to do so. Also, why does the US 131 freeway have an S-Curve at its junction with Interstate 196?

[GaryV]

The left-handed off and on-ramps should have been removed or realigned to the right-hand side a long time ago. Since Wealthy St. currently passes over the US 131 freeway, I believe it should continue to do so. Also, why does the US 131 freeway have an S-Curve at its junction with Interstate 196?

Are you talking about the quasi-DDI at the I-196 interchange? That was done to eliminate the need for a cloverleaf that wouldn't fit next to the river. Designed back in the early 1960's (even though I-196 wasn't built until much later) before left-hand exits and entrances were determined to be sub-optimal.

Or the named s-curve at Market and Wealthy? That was because south of Wealthy the freeway followed the railroad yard, and it had to bend to cross the river.

I remember sometimes taking my dad to work when I was about 5. (We only had one car, and if my mom needed it he still had to get to work.) We'd go down Turner Ave on the West Side, get on at Pearl St (where the open part of the freeway began) and then get off at Market St where my dad worked.

[Ellie]

It's not surprising that Ann Arbor is anti-US 23.

Ann Arbor is so environmentally progressive that I'm surprised they have off leash dog parks.

Scientific studies by organizations as diverse as UCLA and New Scientist magazine have proved that the amount of carbon emitted to manufacture and distribute the food consumed by an average sized dog, is greater than the carbon emitted by an SUV.

Given the environmental views of people in Ann Arbor, I'd expect that they would be closing their off leash dog parks, so that people will be encouraged to fight climate change by not owning dogs.

That comparison sounds idiotic to me.  Same emissions as an SUV driven over the same distance?  Well, duh.  A semi would emit more, but it's carrying a lot of other stuff, too.

Just sounds like someone wanted a justification against some sort of vage environmental regulation, no matter how flawed.

Here are two examples of the studies, and they seem well researched:

https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/the-truth-about-cats-and-dogs-environmental-impact

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/consumer-news/59619/dogs-cause-more-pollution-cars

Another major source of environmental harm is the manufacture and distribution of fast fashion garments. Studies show these garments are typically worn just seven to ten times before going to a landfill. 

It's very frustrating that environmentalists oppose all road expansion projects, and feel people should refrain from air travel altogether, while largely ignoring the environmental harm of dogs and the clothing industry.

If we need to fight climate change, the burden should not be placed 100% on users of motor vehicles and aviation. Other groups, like people who shop at H&M and Zara, and dog owners, need to share the burden, too.

This is a ridiculous comparison.

The reason environmentalists care about transportation emissions is because most people don't care about what method of transportation they use -- they just want to use what is most convenient for them. So if we can replace airplanes with HSR, or make cars more efficient and replace their use with transit, that's just a clear improvement. Environmentalists generally don't go after, like, antique car collectors, or car enthusiasts, because they're a small percentage of emissions, and not really something that can be replaced with a cleaner alternative.

As for the fast fashion industry, that gains plenty of criticism!

[catch22]

MDOT is planning on moving northbound I-275 traffic back to the rebuilt NB lanes on Monday, November 13.

All NB entrance and exit ramps to/from I-275 between Eureka Road and I-96/M-14 will be closed between 9AM and 3PM to accommodate the switch.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDOT/bulletins/37a1bc0

[wanderer2575]

MDOT is planning on moving northbound I-275 traffic back to the rebuilt NB lanes on Monday, November 13.

All NB entrance and exit ramps to/from I-275 between Eureka Road and I-96/M-14 will be closed between 9AM and 3PM to accommodate the switch.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDOT/bulletins/37a1bc0

The plan was to rebuild the northbound lanes to just south of the I-96/M-14 interchange this year, and from there to 5 Mile Road next year.  But the contractor did all of it this year.  There probably will be short-term closures next year for landscaping, removing crossovers, and such.

Meanwhile, reopening of the eastbound I-696 lanes between I-275 and Lahser Road has been pushed back from November 15th to December 2nd, according to the MI Drive website (mi.gov/drive).  There is still a good amount of concrete paving and other work to be done.  The center median hasn't been rebuilt, so I'm guessing it will reopen for the winter either with only three lanes in each direction or with lanes on both sides shifted to the right and using the shoulders.  The website shows reopening of the eastbound I-96 lanes between Kent Lake Road and I-275 also is scheduled for December 2nd.

[JREwing78]

Last Thursday outside New Buffalo, Amtrak's Wolverine train #355 collided with a tow truck and the vehicle it was attempting to extricate from the grade crossing. Apparently 911 dispatch received two calls about the stranded car, but attributed it in error to the nearby CSX track based on a malfunction with their dispatch system. 911 dispatch notified CSX instead of Amtrak, and by the time the Amtrak engineers were able to spot the car it was too late to stop the train. The railroad is now reopened and the damaged rail equipment being hauled away.

More: https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/dispatching-center-error-played-part-in-amtrak-collision-and-derailment-in-michigan/

[afguy]

Vote for your favorite Detroit songs as part of MDOT's Cass Avenue music sculpture

The sculpture, titled "Sounds of Detroit," will be installed along Cass Avenue at the southwest corner of the I-94 interchange, where MDOT is now rebuilding the overpass. The site is around the corner from United Sound Systems, the iconic recording facility purchased by the state agency in 2018.

Songs selected by the public will be featured on the sculpture, which is described as a "community-inspired design" with "serpentine lines representing sound waves." Set for completion later in 2024, the sculpture is being designed by Cliff Garten Studio, a California firm that creates public art works. MDOT and the art studio were part of two recent neighborhood forums, where "there was a consensus that the narrative of the art should pay homage to the history of music in Detroit," MDOT said in a Tuesday statement.

As for picking the songs? There are two ballots, and voters can select five titles from each: The first ballot features tracks recorded at United Sound by various artists, from Aretha Franklin to George Clinton to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The second is a general list of Detroit classics, including Motown, rock, hip-hop, techno and more.

There's also a write-in option.

https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/brian-mccollum/2023/11/21/detroit-songs-sculpture-vote-mdot-united-sound/71669687007/

[afguy]

MDOT is currently conducting a virtual open house for the CAV project along I-94 between Ann Arbor and Detroit. After reading that MDOT plans to take away an existing lane for this project, I can't support it. Traffic along this stretch is already heavy and now MDOT essentially wants to turn one of the lanes into an "tolled express lanes", is totally unacceptable imo.
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5910bbcc2ed24464a99168c13841ae03

[roadman65]

Does Holland, MI really have an under the street snow melt system that prevents the need for snow plows? I've seen info on social media about that city never to have to plow its streets ever, however to me that seems a little out of it or clickbait material.

[wanderer2575]

MDOT is currently conducting a virtual open house for the CAV project along I-94 between Ann Arbor and Detroit. After reading that MDOT plans to take away an existing lane for this project, I can't support it. Traffic along this stretch is already heavy and now MDOT essentially wants to turn one of the lanes into an "tolled express lanes", is totally unacceptable imo.
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5910bbcc2ed24464a99168c13841ae03

According to the presentation all vehicles will be able to use the wired left lane, at least until some unknown future date when "the lane may have restrictions to CAVs only."  Uh-huh.

My main objection, for which I submitted a comment form, is that barriers to physically separate the CAV lane will be installed from the beginning, even though that lane will be open to all vehicles.  The planners seem to think motorists will change lanes only at interchange exits and entrances.  The current reality is that many motorists already are constantly weaving from one lane to the next, trying to get in front of everyone else.  This plan is going to increase the numbers of reckless lane changes, collisions, and road rage incidents.  Why not just mark the lane as CAV-accessible with no physical separations, similar to the new HOV lanes on I-75 in southern Oakland County?

[JREwing78]

Does Holland, MI really have an under the street snow melt system that prevents the need for snow plows? I've seen info on social media about that city never to have to plow its streets ever, however to me that seems a little out of it or clickbait material.

I don't know about the "never" portion of it, but they do have a snow melt system that covers much of its downtown area and obviates the need for plowing or salting along its service area (assuming it doesn't snow too hard or get too cold).

More info from the horse's mouth: https://www.cityofholland.com/879/Snowmelt-System

[Papa Emeritus]

MDOT is currently conducting a virtual open house for the CAV project along I-94 between Ann Arbor and Detroit. After reading that MDOT plans to take away an existing lane for this project, I can't support it. Traffic along this stretch is already heavy and now MDOT essentially wants to turn one of the lanes into an "tolled express lanes", is totally unacceptable imo.
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5910bbcc2ed24464a99168c13841ae03

According to the presentation all vehicles will be able to use the wired left lane, at least until some unknown future date when "the lane may have restrictions to CAVs only."  Uh-huh.

My main objection, for which I submitted a comment form, is that barriers to physically separate the CAV lane will be installed from the beginning, even though that lane will be open to all vehicles.  The planners seem to think motorists will change lanes only at interchange exits and entrances.  The current reality is that many motorists already are constantly weaving from one lane to the next, trying to get in front of everyone else.  This plan is going to increase the numbers of reckless lane changes, collisions, and road rage incidents.  Why not just mark the lane as CAV-accessible with no physical separations, similar to the new HOV lanes on I-75 in southern Oakland County?

I agree 100% with you about this.

I think this could be a big problem near Detroit Metro Airport, because there is one exit for the ramps to both Merriman and Middlebelt. People who are unfamiliar with westbound I 94 think they don't have to exit the freeway for the terminals until past Middlebelt, then, when they see there is just one exit, they have to frantically cross multiple lanes to avoid overshooting the airport.

[JREwing78]

One of the more durable myths of the Upper Peninsula has been that of the Paulding Light. This light appears on a side road off US-45 just north of the Wisconsin state line.
While locals like to attribute these to things like swamp gas, ghosts, or geologic activity, the most likely (and boring) explanation has been simply that it's lights from vehicle traffic on US-45.

Periodically, it compels Michigan Tech students to come out, document the phenomenon, and put their scientific minds to work. These students brought out a massive telescope and other video recording equipment to shed a light on the subject.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKIQ8DpWC_Q

https://maps.app.goo.gl/AA4ybrm7w2CbxETcA

[JREwing78]

The Free Press discusses the lack of enforcement of the HOV lanes on the newly rebuilt sections of I-75 in Oakland County, and the solo driving folks taking advantage. Apparently MDOT got $40 million from the Feds to install the HOV lanes, which they might demand back if not properly enforced.  https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2023/12/21/michigan-hov-lanes-police-restrictions/71913897007

SM-G991U

[KelleyCook]

The Free Press discusses the lack of enforcement of the HOV lanes on the newly rebuilt sections of I-75 in Oakland County, and the solo driving folks taking advantage. Apparently MDOT got $40 million from the Feds to install the HOV lanes, which they might demand back if not properly enforced.  https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2023/12/21/michigan-hov-lanes-police-restrictions/71913897007

SM-G991U

My take on this which is buried in the article: Good on the Michigan State Police management for deciding their officers' time is better used elsewhere than being fee collectors.

A side story, relayed to me by my state senator -- names withheld to protect the naive.

Over the past 40 years, it has been well documented that HOV lanes didn't do what they were originally designed to do which is to incentivize people to carpool.  The people that legally use them are families on vacation ... or people that carpool for other reasons.

So this summer an Oakland county state house member asked the question to MDOT directly what would happen if MDOT didn't implement the HOV plans for the Oakland County I-75 expansion -- that were on the original design from the 1990s -- ... and just opened all four lanes.  He replied that Michigan would have to pay the federal government $40 million dollars.  The next question was "per year?" and the answer was it was one time cost.

So he immediately put out an amendment to a bill to pay back the $40M since it seemed obvious it was what all drivers (regardless of political affiliation) actually wanted for a ridiculously cheap price especially over the 30 year life time of the freeway.

He had high hopes it would be the first amendment or bill -- introduced by Republican -- in the 2023/24 legislative session to make it into law.

He was mistaken.

[GaryV]

Mound Road reopens after construction: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2023/12/20/220m-project-to-transform-mound-road-in-macomb-co-nears-completion/71936989007/

(They promised it would be "done" by Christmas, but I guess they didn't mean "done-done" because there's still work to do in the spring.)

[triplemultiplex]

One of the more durable myths of the Upper Peninsula has been that of the Paulding Light. This light appears on a side road off US-45 just north of the Wisconsin state line.
While locals like to attribute these to things like swamp gas, ghosts, or geologic activity, the most likely (and boring) explanation has been simply that it's lights from vehicle traffic on US-45.

Periodically, it compels Michigan Tech students to come out, document the phenomenon, and put their scientific minds to work. These students brought out a massive telescope and other video recording equipment to shed a light on the subject.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKIQ8DpWC_Q

https://maps.app.goo.gl/AA4ybrm7w2CbxETcA

It's totally the lights of traffic further north on US 45.  But with the added glitch of something called a superficial mirage where, due to temperature differences in the air over the varying elevation between the highway and the observation point, there is a lensing effect that allows light to 'bend' over to top of a hill.  So while in daylight, there is no direct line-of-sight to the traffic further north, at night as the low places cool faster than the high places, this lensing effect causes the lights from traffic to be directly visible.

Fascinating little spot; I was there once as a teenager.  But even then the 'mystery' was quite apparent, even if I was unaware of the lensing effect going on.  I simply opened the Delorme atlas and was like, "Look, we're here, and look what's straight north of us: the damn highway!"

[wanderer2575]

Mound Road reopens after construction: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2023/12/20/220m-project-to-transform-mound-road-in-macomb-co-nears-completion/71936989007/

(They promised it would be "done" by Christmas, but I guess they didn't mean "done-done" because there's still work to do in the spring.)

Not mentioned in the article is that much of that section of Mound Road had been reconstructed ~20 years ago and immediately started falling apart.  I hope they did a better job of it this time.

[The Ghostbuster]

I wonder what the Mound Rd. corridor would be like today if the proposed freeway had been constructed?

[GaryV]

People at church reported that there were no streetlights on Mound Road yesterday in the fog.

[Daisy Rahman]

One of the more durable myths of the Upper Peninsula has been that of the Paulding Light. This light appears on a side road off US-45 just north of the Wisconsin state line.
While locals like to attribute these to things like swamp gas, ghosts, or geologic activity, the most likely (and boring) explanation has been simply that it's lights from vehicle traffic on US-45.

Periodically, it compels Michigan Tech students to come out, document the phenomenon, and put their scientific minds to work. These students brought out a massive telescope and other video recording equipment to shed a light on the subject.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKIQ8DpWC_Q

https://maps.app.goo.gl/AA4ybrm7w2CbxETcA

It's totally the lights of traffic further north on US 45.  But with the added glitch of something called a superficial mirage where, due to temperature differences in the air over the varying elevation between the highway and the observation point, there is a lensing effect that allows light to 'bend' over to top of a hill.  So while in daylight, there is no direct line-of-sight to the traffic further north, at night as the low places cool faster than the high places, this lensing effect causes the lights from traffic to be directly visible.
Actually, it's just basic physics. For those who don't understand, why not take a couple of extra lessons? It's easy to find https://mysupergeek.com/assignment-help-service, where they'll quickly explain such obvious things to you. Better learn in school, guys, and you won't be surprised by the world around you like primitives. Fascinating little spot; I was there once as a teenager.  But even then the 'mystery' was quite apparent, even if I was unaware of the lensing effect going on.  I simply opened the Delorme atlas and was like, "Look, we're here, and look what's straight north of us: the damn highway!"

Well, this still looks funny. As someone once said, "If you don't know physics, the world becomes full of wonders".

[triplemultiplex]

Well, this still looks funny. As someone once said, "If you don't know physics, the world becomes full of wonders".

Your response landed inside the last paragraph of mine quoted.  Make sure your text comes after the quote BBCode.  That's the "[/quote]" thing you'll see when you go to edit the post.

[23skidoo]

I wonder what the Mound Rd. corridor would be like today if the proposed freeway had been constructed?

I made a post about this on the Fictional Highways forum a few years ago: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=17970.msg2145020#msg2145020