Monday Memo for May 28, 2013

 

May 28, 2013
Special Tuesday edition

Check out the 2013 state transportation map

MDOT released the 2013 state transportation map last week, just in time for Memorial Day holiday travel. The map can be viewed on MDOT's Web site, with a paper version that is available free at Welcome Centers throughout the state. "Although more and more people are going online for directions and travel information, there is still a sizeable segment of the public that wants and uses a paper map," said Director Kirk Steudle in a news release, noting that tourism is a major industry in Michigan. Over the years, MDOT has reduced the number of paper maps printed from a high of 2 million maps in 2007 to 1.5 million in 2008-2011, to 1 million in 2012 and 750,000 in 2013. The 2013 map was printed in Michigan at a cost of 13 cents per map. The print map features Metro Detroit maps and 15 city maps, while the Web version features maps of Metro Detroit plus 41 city maps. Go to www.michigan.gov/statemap to view the online version, request a free copy, get more details, or report a suspected error. In addition to the paper map, MDOT's highly interactive mobile site, Mi Drive, offers real-time traffic information, camera views, rest area locations and construction information at www.michigan.gov/drive that travelers can use to plan their routes in advance.

 

NASCAR champion to cross the Mighty Mac on May 29 NASCAR champ Brad Keselowski will be driving the famed No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion, also known as the "Blue Deuce," across the Mackinac Bridge on Wednesday evening, May 29. Keselowski, a native of Rochester Hills, is the first Michigander to win the coveted NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship. Following his trip across the Mighty Mac, Keselowski and the Blue Deuce will be appearing at Bridge View Park in St. Ignace at a 6:20 p.m. public event hosted by the Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA), Michigan International Speedway (MIS) and MDOT. Later, the bridge will be lit blue in honor of the two Pure Michigan icons. The Blue Deuce will be on display at the park during the event, so the public is encouraged to bring their cameras. If you can't make it to the bridge on Wednesday, look for photos of the event in a future issue of Monday Memo, courtesy of MDOT's Video and Photography Unit.

MDOT Twitter page returns to top 10 in followers among state DOTs
MDOT's statewide Twitter page (@MichiganDOT) recently returned to the top 10 in followers among state DOT Twitter pages. Late last year, the Iowa DOT and CalTrans Amtrak Twitter pages knocked MDOT out of the top 10 for the first time since the Office of Communications began tracking social media stats in 2009. However, MDOT's consistent growth in followers recently moved @MichiganDOT back into the #9 slot. In fact, @MichiganDOT consistently gains over 100 new followers every week. With more state DOTs actively engaged in social media than ever before, MDOT has done a great job of staying near the top of the rankings in various categories:

• #7 - YouTube video views (573,201)
• #8 - Total Twitter page followers (10 pages - 32,698 followers)
• #9 - Individual Twitter page followers (@MichiganDOT - 14,681 followers)
• #14 - Total Facebook followers (4,749)
  
  

The Office of Communications administers all MDOT social media pages, providing the public with valuable information, including construction updates, educational videos, and transportation news.

MDOT obtains waiver for off-system bridge funding
The new federal transportation bill (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, or MAP-21) is providing states with new flexibility, authorizing states a lump sum total instead of individual authorizations for each program. There are three set-asides for the surface transportation program, including a 15 percent set-aside of a state's FY 2009 Highway Program apportionment for off-system bridges. Michigan recently became the first state to get a waiver approved for the requirement. Already one of the first states to have an approved systematic plan for preserving local agency bridges, Michigan applied for a waiver from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Keith Cooper of Local Agency Programs worked closely with Rebecca Curtis and Bob Kelley of Bridge Management on the application. Citing the steady progress in statewide bridge conditions and Michigan's commitment to sound asset management, prioritizing needs, and preventive maintenance, they were successful in demonstrating to FHWA that a waiver would allow Michigan to improve the condition of on-system bridges, while maintaining the condition of off-system bridges. The waiver gives Michigan the flexibility to have system needs and priorities, determined by the Regional Bridge Councils, drive the selection of bridges for the FY 2016 Local Bridge Call for Projects, rather than funding categories. This change, in concert with FHWA's participation in Local Agency Preventive Maintenance, will allow Michigan to utilize asset management concepts throughout the Local Bridge Program. Cooper also acknowledges Mark Lewis of the FHWA for partnering with MDOT on this effort. A Surface Transportation Program (STP) fact sheet is available online from the FHWA at: www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/stp.cfm.

Lottery for Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run
The 10th annual Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run lottery is taking applications for the opportunity to be one of 500 runners and wheeling athletes who lead the way across the Mighty Mac on Sept. 2. The run is limited to 500 participants who will be selected from a lottery that closes Friday, May 31. For qualification requirements and to register, visit www.michiganfitness.org/bridgerun.html.

Special drawing will select two to represent MDOT at the Labor Day Run
Two lucky MDOT employees will be chosen by an internal drawing on June 3 to represent the department in the annual Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run on Monday, Sept. 2. They will join the 500 other athletes selected by the Michigan Fitness Foundation. Interested? If you meet the required qualifications as outlined at www.michiganfitness.org/bridgerun.html, please submit your name by e-mail to Maria Bowerman at bowermanm@michigan.gov no later than noon on Monday, June 3.

MAIL CALL 

This compliment for the Bay Region's Z-Bridge crew was posted to MDOT Facebook page in April:
"I wanted to praise whomever it was working on the Zilwaukee Bridge yesterday. I saw two trucks almost at the top of the bridge after seeing cones for a while. I looked toward the trucks and saw one man crouched down right next to the middle median, trying to save a cat from certain death. How great to see workers doing something so kind. Great job to whomever they were!" 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE: Monday Memo is a weekly electronic newsletter for dissemination of information to MDOT employees and encourages contributions from MDOT employees. This newsletter is an official publication of MDOT, and is intended for internal use only. Send all articles and messages to the Monday Memo mailbox by Wednesday noon preceding the date of publication. Questions? Contact Barbara Hicks at 517-335-2482.