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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MDOT plans to rebuild 2.2 miles of M-72, known locally as Grandview Parkway, from US-31/M-37 (Division Street) to M-22, and M-22 (Bay Shore Drive) from M-72 to Cherry Bend Road during the 2025 construction season.
The community has raised several questions and concerns about the project design, which have been addressed below.
Learn more about the M-72/M-22 rebuilding project.
Concepts for the M-72/M-22 intersection currently include a roundabout, with several different configurations possible, such as including access or closing access to Bay Street near the intersection. Other concepts include new two-way or one-way access to Bay Street from Grandview Parkway, or using median crossovers and indirect lefts (Michigan lefts) for eastbound M-72 traffic wishing to head north on M-22. These are concepts only at this time, and the design has not been finalized.
Within the constraints of available property, adjacent developments, and the lakeshore, MDOT is working with the City of Traverse City, Elmwood Township, and TART Trails to provide trail improvements in this corridor, rerouting and extending portions of non-motorized trails, interconnecting sidewalks, and installing new crossings at key locations.
MDOT cannot arbitrarily lower a speed limit on a state highway. A joint process with Michigan State Police of reviewing and setting speed limits is set by state law based on the 85th percentile speed, the speed at which 85 percent of vehicles are traveling at or below.
Posting speed limits lower than the 85th percentile does not result in voluntary motorist compliance unless there is strict, continuous, and visible enforcement. Speed limits set too low will be consistently violated and create disregard for speed limits in general.
The safest speed is what the majority of traffic is traveling at, and 85 percent of drivers adhere to properly established speed limits that they feel are reasonable, comfortable and safe for conditions. The design of a roadway does influence traffic speeds, and MDOT is incorporating road design elements that can help to calm traffic, such as median islands and well-delineated crossings for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The preliminary plans for this project include installation of landscaped median islands to help calm traffic and provide additional refuge areas for pedestrians crossing the roadway. Additional pedestrian improvements, such as well-marked crosswalks and the widening of existing crosswalks is also proposed. These improvements provide higher visibility for pedestrians with the added benefit of helping to slow traffic.
MDOT has been hearing and gathering input from the community on this project for a few years now, primarily in meetings with staff and elected officials with the City of Traverse City and Elmwood Township, as well as with representatives of TART Trails to discuss collaborative and cooperative aspects of the project, and the desires and preferences for what the design will include.
Based on input from those meetings, MDOT’s consultant designer for this project, ROWE Professional Services Company, developed several project concepts for key aspects of the project that were presented at a public meeting in June 2022 in Elwood Township. The concepts were displayed on large posters at the meeting, and attendees were able to place comments on the displays. Those comments were captured and are available to review on the project website. MDOT is also gathering additional comments through an online form on the project website and plans to hold additional opportunities for the public to view and comment on the plans as the design progresses.
MDOT is evaluating enhancements to the existing TART Trail as part of this project, such as relocating it to the water side of the corridor. MDOT is also proposing to extend the TART Trail north of the M-72 and M-22 intersection adjacent to M-22 to Cherry Bend Road and add a sidewalk on the west side of M-22. MDOT’s understanding is that TART is working with the Discovery Center and Elmwood Township for two additional connection points that would like the existing TART Trail to the section MDOT is proposing to extend along M-22.
As with any project, not all residents and roadway users are in agreement with all aspects, and some ideas are in direct opposition to each other. As evidenced in the planning for the adjacent 2023-24 project on US-31/M-72/M-37 (Grandview Parkway and East Front Street), some residents advocated for a design that reduced vehicle lanes and greatly expanded non-motorized trails in the corridor. Others contacted the department to request that US-31 be expanded to five lanes with a center left-turn lane from Garfield Avenue to East Front Street. Many of these requests represent different road user interests, but all are affected by several overarching limitations: available funding, limited MDOT right of way, traffic volumes, limited setbacks from existing right of way boundaries, several properties of historical significance, and city park property restrictions. Those limitations, as well as federal standards and state laws, preclude some of the suggestions that have been brought to our attention.
MDOT is proposing to construct several pedestrian refuge islands in the M-22 portion of this project. A temporary pedestrian refuge island was installed near the Discovery Center several years ago and this feature has been well received. The new pedestrian refuge islands could be equipped with pedestrian hybrid beacon signal in the future, providing even more pedestrian protections. MDOT is also planning to incorporate plans that would improve the TART Trail crossing at the M-72 and M-22 intersection. MDOT is planning to construct a 10’ wide multi-use path on the east side of M-22 from this intersection north to Cherry Bend Road as well as constructing a new sidewalk in this same stretch on the west side of M-22. MDOT understands that TART Trails is working with the Discovery Center and Elmwood Township on two new connection points that would connect the existing TART Trail that runs west of M-22 to the M-22 corridor.
The current design is not a case of MDOT ignoring the preferences and needs of the community, but rather one of developing a design that best serves all users within these limitations. All users’ needs have been considered, though some users may not feel all their preferences have been incorporated.
The 2025 project design is far from final, but will meet Michigan’s Complete Street requirements to consider and provide “appropriate access to all level users in a manner that promotes safe and efficient movement of people and goods whether by car, truck, transit, assistive device, foot, or bicycle.” The City declared its support for Complete Streets policies in a 2011 resolution.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in a report to Congress in March 2022, reiterated its support for Complete Streets policy, while acknowledging constraints.
Working with city and township representatives, with input from stakeholder groups, MDOT will incorporate several design aspects to make walking and biking in this corridor safer, more convenient, and more comfortable. We’re working with TART Trails to reroute and expand crossings for the trail network and make it easier for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross the highway at several intersections. These changes are in addition to the recent additions of pedestrian hybrid beacon signal at the Elmwood Avenue intersection, and improved signs and pavement markings at existing crosswalks. The project also includes widening sidewalks where space allows and improving pedestrian crossings on side streets. Overall, the roadway profile largely will remain the same, with the addition of landscaped medians along the parkway portion.
Much of the current roadway in the Parkway portion is designed with a four-lane profile. Overall, the roadway profile largely will remain the same in this section with the addition of landscaped medians along the parkway portion. Similarly, the Bay Shore portion currently has a three lane section that will remain.
Pedestrian crossing volumes at Elmwood Avenue met federal standards for the pedestrian hybrid beacon signal installations. MDOT plans to continue to monitor pedestrian volumes at locations along the corridor and can consider additional hybrid beacons if those federal standards are met in the future. The addition of several pedestrian islands in the M-22 section may facilitate additional HAWK signals in the future, if crossing volumes warrant them.
