Known as the Cherry Capital of the World, Traverse City, Michigan, is located at the southern tip of Grand Traverse Bay, which flows into Lake Michigan. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and general contractor, Team Elmer’s, are rebuilding a 2-mile section of a major roadway in the scenic …

The $6.4 billion (CDN) Gordie Howe International Bridge, connecting Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Canada, recently reached a milestone with the completion of the bridge deck.

“Making connections is what the Gordie Howe International Bridge is all about,” said Charl van Niekerk, Chief Executive Officer, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA). “While …

The Westbound U.S. Highway 10 Reconstruct project in Bay County, Michigan, is only 5.68 miles long. Yet it includes a number of methodologies that will improve traffic flow and the driving surface, plus increase the structure life of the highway and the three bridges involved.

The lead contractor on the …

As the Michigan construction sector experiences a surge in job creation, its workforce has failed to grow at a rate that matches the demand. In Michigan, as well as other parts of the country, labor has become a scarce commodity. Since the pandemic, the region’s labor force only reached a …

At the northern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and general contractor J & N Construction are in the middle of a reconstruction project along Interstate 75 (I-75) in Cheboygan County. I-75 is the main artery that connects the Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula. …

During the past decade, Trinity Health Michigan has brought more and more services to the people of Livingston County. Now the health system will add a $238 million, acute-care hospital in Brighton to the cornucopia of health care options it offers in the area.

“We felt it was necessary to …

When Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer named Bradley C. Wieferich, PE, as her choice for Director of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) on May 30, 2023, she said, “Brad is a smart, dedicated leader that has helped keep Michigan roads safe for nearly three decades. With his expertise, I …

Along Interstate 94 in Calhoun County, the joint venture team of Anlaan Corporation and C.A. Hull is currently in the middle of working on a project for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The team has gone to great lengths to minimize disruption to traffic in the project area, which …

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is working on a construction project on Interstate 696 (I-696), also known as the Walter P. Reuther Freeway. The 28-mile interstate highway is in the Detroit area, and the project is occurring in and around the Western terminus in Farmington Hills.

The North-South U.S. Route 127 (US-127) runs from Michigan to Tennessee, passing through Michigan’s state capital, Lansing, and connecting Northern and Central Michigan. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is working on a stretch of US-127 just south of Lansing, encompassing areas within both Ingham and Clinton counties.

In November 2021, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), a once-in-a-generation investment in the nation’s infrastructure. President Joe Biden’s administration proposed this legislation to rebuild America’s roads, bridges, and rails, expand access to clean drinking water, ensure every American has access to high-speed internet, tackle …

The $82 million Interstate 496 Rebuilding Project nearing completion in Lansing, Michigan, has met its benchmarks and drivers are enjoying the upgrades. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) reported the long-term benefits include improvements to vehicle and pedestrian safety and operations.

I-496 in Lansing was originally completed in 1970. The …

When Barton Malow Builders of Southfield, Michigan, began extensive renovations on the Skilled Trades and Advanced Technology Center on Macomb Community College’s (MCC) South Campus in Warren, Michigan, the project team knew that shoring throughout the building and 4,000 linear feet of new underground pipes required extensive planning and coordination. …

Recognizing that co-locating two schools will offer greater opportunities for collaboration, the University of Michigan (U-M) in Ann Arbor has undertaken construction of the $145 million Leinweber Computer Science and Information Building and its first ever geo-exchange system.

“This new facility presented an exciting opportunity to use and gain operational …

U.S. 23 is a north-south highway running from Jacksonville, Florida, to the northernmost point in Michigan. In Livingston County, Michigan – about 50 miles west of Detroit – U.S. 23 is the only major north-south route and it's plagued with congestion. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is in the …

Facing a growing demand for inpatient services, Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, is building the new $920 million D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion.

“The adult inpatient hospitals of Michigan Medicine have consistently experienced high demand for inpatient rooms and surgical suites,” says Linda Larin, MBA, FACHE, Chief …

Lapeer County is approximately one hour north of Detroit. Interstate 69 runs east-west through the county before heading south through the state capital and to the Indiana border. Other major roadways in the area include Michigan 24 and Michigan 53. The north-south routes run straight through Detroit. The Michigan Department …

Hoping to provide optimal facilities for students and entice potential students, Michigan State University (MSU) is updating and expanding its Football Complex.

“The main goal is to take care of the men and women student athletes and ensure they have the best facilities to use,” says Jason VanZee, Project Manager …

OHM Advisors President Jon Kramer, PE, has been appointed President of the Michigan Section of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC/Michigan), marking a significant milestone in his 30-year career in the engineering industry.

Kramer's journey with OHM Advisors began at a young age when he joined the firm …

In recent years, infrastructure upgrades in urban cities have been ongoing across the country. This is true for Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is the second largest city in the state. Directly in the historic section of the downtown area, veteran contractor Kamminga & Roodvoets, Inc. (K&R) has been undertaking the …

In Michigan's Wayne County, the latest phase of construction on the extensive Interstate 275 Rebuilding Project is in full swing. The four-year, multiple-phase, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) project, also known as “Revive 275”, began construction in July 2021. This $281 million road improvement undertaking – scheduled for completion in …

The rebuilding of seven miles of highway on Interstate 196 in Ottawa County, Michigan, is scheduled for completion this fall.

“This project was selected based on its remaining years of service life for the existing pavement, as well as the pavement conditions, which required extensive repairs,” says Cole Shafer, …

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently revealed plans to allocate nearly $300 million for nine small- and medium-sized bridge projects in both urban and rural areas. The grants, awarded in eight states and the District of Columbia, are part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Bridge …

Significant progress has taken place in the past year on the new $5.7 billion (Canadian) Gordie Howe International Bridge, which aims to improve the movement of people and goods between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit.

“The project – the bridge, the two new Ports of Entry and the Michigan Interchange, along …

The Association of General Contractors (AGC) and Construction Risk Partners recently honored this year’s best new and renovation construction projects with Build America Awards at the AGC Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Build America Merit Awards were also presented to construction companies at the convention.

“These awards are designed …

A $14.7 million project by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will resurface a 3-mile stretch of M-43 and reduce flooding in this section of Ingham County.

“We undertook this project to improve pavement conditions along the M-43 corridor through Meridian Township,” says Aaron Jenkins, Spokesman for MDOT.

In …

A public-private partnership has revitalized Liberty Bridge in Bay City, Michigan, and it opened to traffic at the end of last year.

“This is a truly remarkable day for the city of Bay City,” said Bay City Mayor Kathleen L. Newsham at the grand opening of the bridge. She also …

As GPS technology utilization continues to grow and evolve, the construction industry is reaping the benefits, including savings in time and expenses, optimized fleet management, greater productivity, and improved customer satisfaction. And it is not only the big contractors and large scale projects who are experiencing these benefits – smaller …

A new approximately $95 million Downtown Justice Center in Kalamazoo County is moving closer to completion and will consolidate courts, prosecutors and criminal justice services under one roof.

“The county wanted everyone together,” says Jerry VanderVeen, with M.W. VanderVeen Project Management of Kalamazoo, owner’s representative for the justice facility …

For the first time in state history, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has embarked on a bridge bundling pilot project to improve conditions on 19 bridges owned by local agencies.

“It comes down to public safety and trust in the transportation system,” says Beckie Curtis, MDOT director of …

A collaborative effort ensures the right cranes assist in building the new $920 million, 12-story patient tower, the Pavilion at University of Michigan Health, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

“Projects like this require a lot of planning,” says Mark Wade, Vice President of Operations for JJ Curran Crane Company of …

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded $1.5 billion in Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grants to highway, multimodal freight, and rail projects across the country. In the Michigan Contractor & Builder area, a $104.6 million INFRA grant was awarded to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for the I-375 …

With recent market analysis showing that the design-build project delivery method will account for as much as 47 percent of construction spending by 2025, the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) is seeing significant growth and success in design-build projects across the country. One such design-build project, the McLaren Greater Lansing …

For a week in July 2022, the only traffic on a stretch of Interstate 94 near Wayne State University in Detroit was a 2,500-ton bridge skeleton traveling on self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs).

General contractor Z Contractors, Inc., of Shelby Township, Michigan, built the new Second Avenue bridge skeleton in …

A project years in the making, the Harbor 31 (H31) lakeshore waterfront mixed-use development in Muskegon, Michigan, has recently begun construction. The $120-million environmentally-friendly development was a culmination of the collaborative efforts between the City of Muskegon, State Senator Jon Bumstead, and multiple local, regional, and state advocacy efforts.

A …

Two Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects won regional awards in the 2022 America’s Transportation Awards competition, sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The competition recognizes state DOTs for making a difference in their community, with each …

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has been working on two projects in Kent County. In a statement, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “These projects in Kent County will improve ride quality, reduce congestion, and extend the service life of this critical roadway.”

Located in western Michigan and part of the …

Knocking down vacant houses to make way for new construction or community gardens or just green space, the Detroit Demolition Department aids in the city’s neighborhood redevelopment, enhancing safety, value and health.

“We do this as a matter of quality of life,” says LaJuan Counts, Director of the Demolition …

Every motorist appreciates a smooth ride, particularly when a road had previously been in poor condition. However, the time when a road is under repair can be frustrating, as it often results in back-ups and or detours. Therefore, the quicker the road repair is completed, the happier motorists are. Completing …

Maintenance might not be your favorite thing to do, but this minor inconvenience can help you avoid major headaches in the future. Good maintenance practices not only keep the machine running at peak performance, but they also minimize downtime from repairs that come from ignoring key maintenance requirements. Here are …

WINNIPEG, MB — Evolution Wheel is a manufacturer of heavy-duty skid steer tires. The EWRS-HS series solid skid steer tire is the hard surface version of the EWRS-AT series all-terrain tire. The solid EWRS-HS skid steer tire is ideal for surfaces like concrete or asphalt.

Evolution Wheel spends a lot …

Experiencing substantial increases in traffic on Interstate 94 in Jackson County, Michigan, since the highway opened in 1960, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is in the midst of a three-phase reconstruction project.

“The current corridor is, in part, obsolete and in need of improvements with the goal to balance …

It doesn’t matter how much aggregate is produced in a day if it is contaminated or not sized correctly. Though screen media is a minor cost when compared to larger equipment in a quarry or mine, it is a crucial part of any operation’s profit machine. One unexpected break and …

The global upheaval of the last few years has undoubtedly rocked the construction industry – and stories of labor shortages driven by COVID-19 abound. Add to that an aging workforce further stressed by current conditions, combined with a lack of skilled replacements, and the current struggle makes sense.

But beneath …

The needs of the project owner have always defined the parameters of a construction job, but all signs are pointing to owners playing a bigger role in the use of technology on their projects in the future, especially as we begin to see federal funds put to work on transportation …

While America’s transportation infrastructure continues to be one of the country’s greatest historical accomplishments, as well as the lifeblood of the American economy, the system itself continues to have serious challenges during the last two decades.

This is mainly due to the rise in traffic congestion which has ensnarled hundreds …

Most people in the construction industry will say that on any given work site, there is always an amount of waste that could have been avoided. Whether it be poorly handled materials, re-work, weather damage, or working from out of date documents, there are plenty of ways that humans can …

SITECH Michigan has moved to a new location in Novi, Michigan, after outgrowing its location in Waterford. The company grew nearly 50 percent between 2020 to 2021, with bold aspirations to continue that momentum and double by 2025.

“For a number of reasons, it was time for our team to …

Located on the Keweenaw Peninsula on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the city of Houghton borders the Portage Canal. The city of approximately 8,500 people is the largest in the Keweenaw and home to Michigan Technological University (MTU). The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is in the middle of the U.S. 41 …

The busiest commercial land crossing between the United States and Canada will soon have a second bridge – the Gordie Howe International Bridge – named after a popular Canadian hockey star who played in Detroit.

“This is a once in a generation project,” says Grant Hilbers, Vice President of …

As droughts and growing population affect water security around the globe, desalination becomes an increasingly important option. In communities searching for sustainable, long-term solutions, new technology can increase the efficiency of water treatment efforts.

Initially developed in the late 1950s, reverse osmosis (RO) desalination evolved into the leading desalination process. …

Located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, Grand Haven, Michigan is a popular tourist destination. The Grand Haven area is known for its sandy beaches, retail-lined boardwalk, and the Rosy Mound Natural Area. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is in the middle of the U.S. 31 and M-104 …

Many of the most famous structures of ancient times were constructed from a material we often think of us as modern. The workers who built them needed a material that could be shaped into blocks and other forms more easily than carving from stone. Finally, someone concocted a mixture of …

U.S. Highway 2 is an east-west route that runs along the northern United States. One of the towns U.S. 2 goes through is Bessemer, which is in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and just a few miles east of the Wisconsin state border. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is …

Situated in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan off Lake Superior, Marquette Township is the largest of the townships – by population – located in the area. Marquette Township is also home to multiple retail centers that draw customers from all over the area. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently …

The future is looking bright for the construction industry, with project pipelines full and the promise of infrastructure spending infusing the industry with confidence and optimism. But as we face another year of supply chain issues and crippling workforce shortages, it’s possible that our industry’s biggest challenge could be too …

Aiming to provide easier travel in the southwest portion of the state, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has undertaken the U.S. 31 Relocation project to connect with Interstate 94.

“About 39 million tons of commodities move between Indiana and Michigan on I-94 and U.S. 31,” says Kenton McAndrew, …

A stretch of Interstate 69 in Michigan's Calhoun and Eaton Counties, southwest of Lansing, has been in rough condition for some time. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) projected the costly repair would be an eight- to 10-year project. Rebuilding the road was put off until now.

The most direct …

One of the challenges states face when it comes to growing and maintaining their infrastructure is financial uncertainty. The Rebuilding Michigan program, which runs from 2020-2024, is being financed in part through the issuance of bonds and offers more certainty. The objective of the program is to rebuild the state’s …

With wildfires out West and extreme tropical systems in the East, climate change has moved to the front of people’s minds, and many are embracing more environmentally friendly practices, including sustainable concrete available from Superior Materials in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

“We try to be as environmentally conscious as we can,” …

Located in northern Michigan, just off Lake Michigan, is Charlevoix County. The area draws droves of tourists in the summertime. Tourists, commuters, and commercial traffic alike use U.S. 31 to get to and from Charlevoix County. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is in the middle of a project along …

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is in the midst of the southbound I-196 Rebuilding and Improvements project. Located in southwest Michigan just inland off of Lake Michigan, this project is one that commuters have been waiting to see happen for some time.

In 2012, the northbound side of I-196 …

Patients in Northern Michigan and Eastern Upper Peninsula communities will soon have an updated hospital able to provide quality care with the latest technologies at McLaren Northern Michigan, in Petoskey, as phase one of a $158 million addition and renovation project nears completion.

“Our goal is to further enhance the …

The Ford Motor Co. has launched a multimillion restoration of the Michigan Central Station in Detroit’s Corktown area to its former magnificence and will use it as a base for its automated vehicles and other high-tech mobility developments, bringing old and new Detroit together in an exciting project.

“This is …

The W.K. Kellogg Institute and Dental Building at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is receiving a $140 million addition and renovation – the first since its construction 50 years ago – so it can continue teaching dental students, serving patients from around Michigan and conducting research advancing the …

With the need for pilots growing, Western Michigan University’s (WMU) aviation program has experienced growth, but the existing facilities needed updating. Therefore, the College of Aviation has embarked on a $20 million renovation and addition.

“The primary purpose of the project is to generate additional space at the WMU College …

In the final segment of the 18-mile-long I-75 Modernization project in Oakland County, Michigan, crews are not only widening the highway, but also placing a drainage system using a tunnel boring machine (TBM) named Eliza.

“We are proud to be able to work together with Michigan DOT to improve safety …

As a gigantic crane from JJ Curran Crane Company lifts each modular unit into place, the $50 million Cambria hotel in Detroit’s central business district moves closer to completion.

“It’s a great type of construction,” says Michael Firsten, Superintendent with the Means Group of Detroit, part of the lodging’s …

Many construction projects are proposed but never move forward or are delayed. There are a host of reasons why projects may suffer this fate though money – or lack thereof – is often the issue. Even so, the U.S. 31 reconstruction in Berrien County, Michigan, has been a long time …

A $15.5 million reconstruction of a major route in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula combines utility work, rehabilitation of the road, streetscapes and a roundabout to improve traffic flow and safety for the motoring public on M-28.

“This started as a resurfacing project, but in meeting with local officials, they expressed a …

Collaboration between nations has led to the construction of the multibillion Gordie Howe International Bridge, an iconic cable-stay structure connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.

“Windsor-Detroit is the busiest commercial land crossing in North America,” says Mark Butler, Director of Communication with the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) in Windsor, a …

Commuters typically welcome infrastructure projects as they make their travels safer and faster. However, the work needed to complete an infrastructure upgrade normally inconveniences commuters. When the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) structured the Pave the Way project, minimizing inconvenience was a major consideration on how the work was scheduled. …

After being alerted by a State Police Trooper that something strange seemed to be happening with U.S. 2 near the town of Epoufette about nine years ago, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) decided to move the road farther away from the Lake Michigan shoreline.

“Not having any major issues …

“Finding skilled workers is proving to be more difficult every day,” said Mike Verhulst, Vice President of Rockford Construction in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “The ongoing shortage of skilled workers poses a significant risk to future economic growth, so a great way to address that concern is to place young …

America’s multifaceted infrastructure network encompasses everything from roads, bridges, and dams to water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. These and other assets are foundational to supporting healthy communities and economic prosperity, which is why it is essential to properly maintain and improve these vital systems.

This goal is paramount in a …