Mar. 10 - Mar. 23, 2007
A Review of Recent Top Transportation Stories from Around Michigan
MICHIGAN IS IN TOP 10 FOR UNSAFE BRIDGES
Detroit News
Tom Greenwood & Andy Henion
03-21-07
WARREN -- Three overpasses have crumbled onto Metro Detroit roadways within four days, damaging vehicles, shocking commuters and drawing renewed scrutiny to what federal reports say is the ninth-worst network of bridges in the country. An analysis of 2006 federal highway reports shows that 16 percent of Michigan's bridges are structurally deficient, meaning they show significant signs of deterioration and need immediate rehabilitation to stay open, have restricted weight load limits or already are closed, according to TRIP, a Washington, D.C.--based research group.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007703210392CONCRETE FALLS FROM STARK ROAD BRIDGE OVER I-96
Detroit News
Christina Stolarz
03-18-07
LIVONIA - The two right lanes on eastbound Interstate 96 at the Stark overpass in Livonia have been closed as Wayne County bridge inspection crews check the bridge for loose debris, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. Crews are currently conducting detailed inspections of the concrete covering that goes over the front beam of the overpass. They're also inspecting underneath the overpass. It's undetermined what caused the debris to fall, but it may be age.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007703180360SPRING'S ROAD RAGE: THAW, HEAVY LOADS TAKE BITE OUT OF ASPHALT
Muskegon Chronicle
From Local Reports
03-21-07
Potholes on city and rural streets are only part of the problem plaguing area motorists this spring.
Some motorists also are having to adjust to impassable gravel roads, because of flooding, and temporary closures on secondary roads because of collapsed culverts. This is the time of year when the Muskegon County Road Commission erects seasonal load limit signs and repairs cracks, holes and road collapses, like the one that occurred last week on Ellis Road in Ravenna Township.
http://www.mlive.com/muskegon/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-11/117448830328570.xml&coll=8PUBLIC GETS CHANCE TO SOUND OFF ON ROAD MILLAGE
Muskegon Chronicle
Eric Gaertner
03-12-07
Fruitland Township voters, who will be asked May 8 to approve a new tax for road improvements, are invited to a public meeting of the special committee studying the issue Tuesday night. The committee
recommended a 1-mill road tax to help pay for reconstruction or paving of six roads. The township board in January agreed to put the millage proposal on the ballot, citing the deteriorating condition of township roads and the lack of funding available to pay for the work. "I would hope we get some positive input," said Dick Ciezak, a township resident who serves on the roads committee. "I think this is the only way we're going to get our roads fixed." The proposed road millage is "very important," said township Supervisor Greg Boughton. "The roads are wearing out and the road commission doesn't have adequate funding to repair the roads." If approved, the tax would generate about $218,468 a year or $1.3 million over six years -- the duration of the proposed millage -- for the six specific road projects.
http://www.mlive.com/news/chronicle/index.ssf?/base/news-11/1173710750130340.xml&coll=8DRIVERS DODGING POTHOLES
Detroit News
Andy Henion
03-13-07
As motorists in northwest Detroit can tell you, exiting the Southfield Freeway for Seven Mile offers little relief for weary suspensions: a series of freeway potholes -- one the size of a kitchen sink -- gives way to an unrelenting legion of smaller holes and bumps. And while the state's multibillion-dollar effort to rebuild its thoroughfares over the past 15 years has helped reduce potholes, county road officials agree, many problem areas remain. They can also be costly. The average pothole claim for Michigan AAA members was $638 in January and February, up from $624 in 2006, said spokeswoman Nancy Cain. The auto club has received 1,900 pothole claims so far this year, about the same as early last year, she added. In Wayne County, motorists are seeing cavities on I-75, particularly Downriver, as well as on I-96 coming into the city and the Southfield Freeway. Many exit and entrance ramps near downtown also are in rough shape. The county, which fills some 200,000 potholes a year, repairs the freeways within the city limits, while MDOT handles the state highways.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070313/METRO05/703130416/1016MONEY IS TIGHT, SO ROADS SUFFER
Detroit News
Tom Greenwood
03-19-07
Columnist. Let's start the work week by answering some of your questions.
Jeff Harris has been thinking about the size of Interstate 75.
"Has there been any decision of expanding I-75 to four lanes from three between I-696 and 14 Mile?" Jeff, actually quite a bit of thought has been given to widening I-75 from Eight Mile to M-59. The problem, of course, is money. Studies have shown that widening the freeway in Oakland County would cost well over $1 billion. Considering the state's economy, the chances of this happening anytime soon seem remote.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007703190345