Best Practice/Policy

Michigan

BEST PRACTICE/POLICY:

Corridor Planning

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST PRACTICE/POLICY:

Especially in the Detroit area, MDOT is now attempting to identify all needed construction work in a corridor and then let a contract deal with it all. The principle they are applying is 'get in, get out, and stay out'. A typical example of this new approach is current bridge work being done on I-94 where all crossroad bridges were packaged into the contract. Also, MDOT has applied the corridor approach to short-term road work from a variety of sources. A typical implementation is for MDOT to allow a total weekend closure within a long-term contract project and invite road maintenance, utility, and survey forces to also work on their road interests during that time period.

REASON(S) FOR ADOPTING THE BEST PRACTICE/POLICY:

MDOT was looking for ways to reduce the seemingly constant road closures on freeway corridors. In the past it was not uncommon for the state to be working on a given stretch of highway, year after year, doing different elements of work.

BIGGEST BENEFIT(S) BEING REALIZED FROM THIS BEST PRACTICE/POLICY:

Traffic inconvenience is minimized by this approach. It is also expected that MDOT credibility with the public will be enhanced.

LOCATION AND TYPE(S) OF PROJECTS WHERE THIS PRACTICE/POLICY IS MOST APPLICABLE/EFFECTIVE:

This concept is being used primarily on high-volume urban freeway projects where traffic distribution is a major issue.

CONTACT(S):

Tom Fort, FHWA, Michigan Division
Telephone: (517) 377-1880 Ext 42

ADDITIONAL CONTACT(S):

Ernie Savas, MDOT Telephone: (248) 483-5142