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MDOT roundabout project in Allegan nationally recognized

Fast facts:

  •    The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has earned a project award from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
  •    MDOT's Grand Region was recognized for the M-89 rebuilding and roundabout project in the city of Allegan
  •    Regional award winners will be entered into a national competition in September.

ALLEGAN, Mich. - In partnership with the City of Allegan, the Michigan Department of Transportation's (MDOT) $7 million roundabout project brings home some well-earned accolades from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The new roundabout and rebuild of the M-89/M-40/Hubbard Street intersection in the city of Allegan is this year's winner of the Quality of Life/Community Development small project award. The project also included resurfacing M-89 between M-222 and 29th Street, as well as a new sidewalk between Hubbard Street and 2nd Street on the north side of M-89, to improve connectivity for vulnerable road users.

"The open communication, the flexibility and patience of this community made this project a success from the start," said MDOT project manager and engineer Thomas Sabin. "I'm very proud of our team and we accept this award with honor and appreciation on behalf of the department and the good people from the city of Allegan."

The five-legged intersection was an ideal candidate for a roundabout to help with congestion and safety in an area where three state routes connect to accommodate commuters, tourists, truckers and large agricultural vehicles. Roundabouts are not only efficient traffic solutions but also enhance safety, reduce environmental impact and can offer landscaping and aesthetic opportunities. Roundabouts also can reduce fatal and serious injury crashes by up to 75 percent. This significant decrease is attributed to lower speeds and fewer conflict points compared to traditional intersections.

City of Allegan five legged intersection roundabout aerial image

The AASHTO Awards are an opportunity to recognize colleagues and peers who are achieving great things in the transportation field. Each year, AASHTO honors individuals and transportation departments for their contributions to the transportation community through a series of awards.   

Now that the regional winners have been chosen, the top three scoring projects in each region will advance to the Top 12. Those projects will be revealed in early September. Those standout projects will then compete for two national honors in the 2025 America’s Transportation Awards. The Grand Prize will be chosen by an independent panel of judges, while the People's Choice Award will be decided through online public voting. AASHTO will reveal both winners at its annual meeting in November in Salt Lake City. Each winning project will receive $10,000 to donate to a scholarship fund or charitable cause of their choice.

Visit the America's Transportation Awards website to learn more about this year's nominees.

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