Our goal is to keep Michigan's motorists safe, informed, and mobile. That is why MDOT offers many ways to help ease the stress of commuting by providing information that commuters want and need as they make daily travel decisions.
Did you know that millions of people visit the Great Lakes State every year? Whether you are from out of state or right here in Michigan, we want to ensure your travel throughout Michigan is informative, comfortable, and fun.
At MDOT, safety is paramount. It is our goal to improve overall safety for all road users, internal staff, contractors performing work on roads, and emergency responders.
Every year, MDOT produces an updated version of the state transportation map. The department also produces numerous geographic information system maps to assist commuters, tourists, and businesses.
In Michigan, there are three publicly-owned and operated bridges: Mackinac Bridge, Blue Water Bridge, and International Bridge. There are also two privately-owned and operated border crossings: Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.
A vibrant and sustainable multimodal transportation system is vital to Michigan's future economic viability and competitiveness. From aviation to public transportation, rail, freight, and marine, MDOT is involved in all modes of transportation.
MDOT's Office of Business Development (OBD) manages external civil rights programs, such as the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, the On-the-Job Training Program, and the Small Business Program, and ensures compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, equal opportunity requirements for contractors, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
MDOT is committed to ensuring that projects, programs and services are performed without discrimination, under Title VI.
Contractors and vendors who work on federally assisted projects are required to establish and carry out policies to assure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment without regard to their race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, national origin, age, or disability.
Resources for minorities, women, and other socially/economically disadvantaged persons.
The Bureau of Bridges and Structures is responsible for statewide policy, procedure development, and execution to ensure all bridges and structures are designed, constructed, maintained, and operated to ensure safety.
MDOT provides funding for competitive grant and loan programs primarily, but not exclusively, for state and local road agencies for the greatest impact on economic development and job creation.
MDOT's Highway Programs focus on the development and management of the department's roadsides, environmental efforts and policies, and federal-aid highway information.
The Bureau of Transportation Planning develops and implements a comprehensive transportation planning process which results in investments that are consistent with the policies of the State Transportation Commission.
Research Administration supports and promotes innovative research that encourages safe, sustainable and cost-effective transportation solutions throughout Michigan.
MDOT provides technologies and partnerships in order to make the transportation system safer and less congested.
MDOT has ongoing government-to-government communication with 12 federally recognized sovereign tribal governments whose lands are situated within Michigan.
The Office of Communications works with the media to inform the public of MDOT's mission, policies and practices in a positive, consistent and credible manner. The office is responsible for media relations, social media, and website development.
Public participation is integral to efficient, effective and responsive transportation decisions. At MDOT, we want to ensure your voice is not only heard, but makes a difference in moving Michigan forward.
Transportation Reality Check takes on transportation myths and misconceptions, and explains why MDOT does things the way they do.
Resources for the development of quality transportation project documents and services.
Resources for specialized engineering and technical support for construction staff.
Resources for prequalification, bid letting, contract awards, and payments.
Resources for consultant advisories, prequalification information, contracts, and proposals.
Resources for grant and economic development opportunities and project coordination.
Resources for local governmental agencies that regularly require access to state right of way.
Resources for MDOT real estate standards, policies and procedures, and training.
Resources for general work zone mobility guidelines for engineering and technical staff.
Resources for rules, guidelines, restrictions, and permits to safely transport goods.
Open data refers to data that has been officially classified as public that can be made freely available for everyone to use without credentials or restrictions. MDOT promotes transparency, innovation and informed decision-making by providing datasets classified as public freely available to everyone.
MDOT's goal is to support the implementation and use of GIS software and hardware through innovative solutions that solve spatial problems and support more informed decisions about Michigan's transportation infrastructure.
The technical training (TT) course schedule lists the various technical training courses offered through the Office of Organizational Development during the construction off-season months for the local agencies and consultants.
The Internship Program offers undergraduate and graduate students interested in civil engineering and construction management careers, valuable experience by working with professional field staff.
TRAC engages high school and middle school students in solving real-world problems, such as designing bridges or analyzing the environmental effects of building a highway.
The MDOT Transportation Career Pathways Program is committed to helping you build a fulfilling and rewarding career in the transportation industry, even if you're not entirely sure where to start.
MDOT's Engineer Development Program (EDP) is a rotational program that provides new engineers experience in multiple work areas while being assigned a senior-level mentor.
The HBCU TDRP is a unique partnership between MDOT and Michigan colleges and universities to offer on-the-job training to undergraduate students pursuing degrees in engineering or transportation-related careers.
The Veteran Internship Program assists honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces as they transition into the civilian workforce.
Engineering Week videos and lesson plans are all-inclusive resources to show early elementary to high school students the career of civil engineering at MDOT.
At MDOT, we are here to help. If you can't find what you are looking for in our popular topics, frequently asked questions or website search, give us a call at 517-241-2400 or fill out our contact form.
MDOT's seven region offices each handle transportation-related construction, maintenance and programs within the region's geographic boundaries.
Governmental Affairs represents MDOT's interests as new or amendatory legislation is developed or moving through the legislative process.
Commissions and councils provide a public forum for policy development and implementation.
Policies help the department implement its mission of serving and connecting people, communities, and the economy through transportation.
Allows MDOT's regions and engineers to expand their knowledge on how Michigan freeways are operating over time and how they compare to each other.
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Are you looking for help or need to contact MDOT? If so, you've come to the right place.
With more than 2,800 employees, seven regions, 22 transportation service centers, and 47 additional facilities, MDOT is a large agency. From maintaining Michigan’s state highways (I, M, and US routes) and bridges to winter maintenance, rest areas, carpool lots, maps, and many more services and programs, we understand navigating our department and website can be challenging.
In order to better serve our customers, we have provided some popular topics that are most commonly asked by them. Additionally, our frequently asked questions and website search are great resources for information.
If you're still unsure where to start or would like to communicate a concern, call 517-241-2400 or email MDOT and staff will route your concern to the most appropriate office within MDOT for a response.
Multiple agencies oversee commercial vehicle regulations and licenses, overweight/oversize loads, IFTA, and DOT regulations.
Michigan Secretary of State is responsible for vehicle titles, registrations, license plates, licenses, and IDs.
Report potholes on I, M, and US routes to MDOT. Report other potholes to your county road commission or local municipality.
County road agencies are responsible for most non-trunkline roads in Michigan. These agencies work with MDOT, townships, and municipalities.
Resources regarding major road and bridge projects, ongoing studies, and daily construction information, incidents, traffic cameras, and snowplow tracking.
MDOT issues permits related to oversize/overweight loads, highway advertising, utility coordination, and work within state right of way.
Highway defect claims (including potholes) can be submitted if damage occurred on a state route, not local or county roads.
MDOT produces an annual state transportation map, as well as other maps. View digital files of these maps or request a printed copy.
Contact MDOT's media representatives.
Contact MDOT's Region Offices and TSCs.
Search the employee contact directory.
Speed limits in Michigan are set in accordance with state law, which requires that they be posted at the speed at which 85 percent of vehicles are traveling at or below, commonly referred to as the 85th percentile speed. So, if 100 cars travel through an area, 85 of them are going at or below that speed. On state highways, setting speed limits is a joint process between MDOT and the Michigan State Police (MSP), and the two agencies conduct speed studies that determine the 85th percentile speeds. Neither agency can arbitrarily lower speed limits.
If your community feels the current speed limit in that area is too high, the township board can request that MDOT and MSP conduct a speed study. The board would need to pass a resolution requesting the speed study and agree to honor the results. That’s important because if a speed study reveals that the 85th percentile speed on a corridor is actually higher than the current posted speed limit, state law requires MDOT and MSP to raise the speed limit in accordance with state law. State law does not allow posting speed limits below the 50th percentile speed.
Traffic signals are primarily installed to improve the efficiency of an intersection. Depending on the crash types, a signal may not address the concern and could inadvertently lead to more crashes.
Before determining whether or not a traffic signal is appropriate for a given intersection, MDOT must first perform a signal study and see if the location meets one or more of nine signal “warrants,” or conditions that must be met before a signal will be installed. Warrants include eight- and four-hour vehicle volumes, peak-hour volumes, pedestrian volumes, presence of a school crossing, presence of a coordinated signal system, crash experience, nearby roadway network traffic flow, and presence of a nearby at-grade railroad crossing. MDOT does not install traffic signals at locations that do not meet any of these warrants, as that may inadvertently increase the number or severity of crashes.
MDOT does have rules for posting temporary political signs along state highways. These rules apply to state highways only; local road agencies and municipalities may have their own rules. Generally speaking, our two biggest concerns are with safety and potential for littering. Signs are never allowed in locations where they impede drivers’ vision, or of a size and design that would pose a hazard if they were struck. Additionally, signs need to be removed within 10 days following elections so that they don’t become roadside litter or inhibit maintenance activities. We don’t police signs based on content; we are focused on safety and littering. We post our rules expecting that most people will voluntarily comply.
MDOT builds roundabout for several reasons, including:
Lane reconfigurations, or road diets, can help improve safety for all roadway users by encouraging drivers to reduce speeds, removing congestion and reducing crashes related to left-turning vehicles by providing a center left-turn lane and providing space for other amenities, such as trails or sidewalks, wider shoulders, bike lanes, on-street parking, or bus stop pull-offs. When properly placed, lane reconfigurations provide all of those improvements without significant delays or additional travel times.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has more information on road diets/roadway reconfiguration on its website.
