MDOT safety projects are part of a larger effort to help move the state Toward Zero Deaths (TZD). MDOT's Superior Region has addressed safety concerns with specific road projects and system-wide improvements. One major 2020 safety project is a queue detection and warning system on the I-75 approach to the International Bridge in Sault Ste. Marie. Using sensors, the system will detect backed-up traffic and automatically activate flashers on yellow "Watch for Backups" warning signs along the highway approach. Additionally, an electronic message board will be set to alert drivers with a similar message.
MDOT is investing about $422,000 to build the system and make freeway lighting upgrades in the area. The project was funded through state and federal intelligent transportation systems sources.
Another 2020 safety project on US-2 in Hudson Township along Lake Michigan involves building right-turn lanes and installing truck warning systems. Graymont Mine is using portions of Borgstrom Road and US-2 to haul raw material to a dock along US-2, resulting in an expected 200 truck trips per day in the area. MDOT partnered with Graymont on a grant application to fund the installation of the lanes, allowing trucks to make safer turns.
The system detects semi-trucks or other high-profile vehicles approaching the US-2 intersections with Borgstrom Road or the Sand Products driveway and automatically activates "Trucks Entering Roadway" signs on US-2 in advance of both locations. The right-turn lanes in both locations will improve traffic flow and reduce the potential for rear-end and sideswipe crashes.
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Safety improvements were also a major part of a $5.3-million project this year to resurface 9.6 miles of US-41 from Hancock to Calumet in Houghton County. Along with a new road surface, safety improvements in the area included realigning Boston Road, installing a left-turn passing flare, and closing access points to US-41 from two other roads.
Other TZD efforts over the past year have great potential for crash reduction and increased safety:
- Delineators (posts with reflectors to outline the roadside in low-visibility conditions) are being placed along US-2 west of Dickinson County and along M-28 from Alger County to Gogebic County.
- Mumble strips were installed on more than 380 miles of state highway around the U.P. this construction season.
In Michigan, as of October 27, 842 people had died on roadways, an increase of 56 compared to 2019. In addition, 4,367 were seriously injured. In the U.P., the data through the end of October showed 22 fatalities and 161 serious injuries, down slightly from last year at the same time.
"We're encouraged by the decline in fatalities last year but this year's trend is concerning," said Justin Junttila, Region Traffic and Safety Engineer with MDOT. "It just shows that now is not the time to take our focus off safety. MDOT will continue to work on specific projects and system-wide efforts to build a safer transportation network for all users."
