Geddes Ave Construction and Traffic Control

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Notice of Temporary Traffic Control Plan
July 23 – August 24, 2012

Location and Limits of Affected Area:
Geddes Avenue from Highland Road to Apple Way
Description of Work:
This project will include repair of the road pavement to eliminate pot holes, provide a smoother driving surface, and increase the service life of the road. It will also include the replacement of sidewalk ramps to meet current Americans with Disability Act Standards.

Temporary Construction Traffic Control Plan:
For much of the construction, two-way traffic will be maintained with the use of flaggers during construction hours. Construction between Awixa and Apple Way will require approximately 2 weeks of a full closure to through traffic. During this time, eastbound traffic will be detoured; 1) Washtenaw to Huron Pkwy or 2) Hill St to Devonshire to Arlington. Westbound traffic will be detoured; 1) Huron Pkwy to Washtenaw, or 2) Arlington to Devonshire to Hill. See attached map.

Local access for vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic will be maintained except when vehicular traffic may be temporarily restricted due to paving or concrete work. Residents will be notified if a driveway is affected.

Seventh Street Traffic Control Plan

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Notice of Temporary Traffic Control Plan
Location and Limits of Affected Area:
S. Seventh Street from Pauline to Madison.
July 23 – September 1, 2012
Description of Work:
This project will include reconstruction of the road pavement to eliminate pot holes, provide a smoother driving surface, and increase the service life of the road. It will also include the replacement of sidewalk ramps to meet current Americans with Disability Act Standards.

Temporary Construction Traffic Control Plan:
Southbound traffic will be maintained and northbound traffic will be detoured. The detour route for northbound traffic will be Pauline to Main St to Madison. See attached map.

Local access for vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic will be maintained except when vehicular traffic may be temporarily restricted due to paving or concrete work. Residents will be notified if a driveway is affected.

To maintain the safety of all, please reduce speeds and drive cautiously through work zones. 

Pedestrian traffic will be maintained on at least one side of the street during this project.

South State Street Opening to Two Way Traffic!

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Notice of Temporary Traffic Control Plan 
East Stadium Boulevard Bridges Replacement Project
S. State Street to Re-open to Two-way Traffic on July 11, 2012

Location and Limits of Affected Area:
South State Street from Stimson Street to Granger Avenue 

Description of Work:
S. State Street roadway construction will be completed such that the roadway can be re-opened to two-way traffic.

Construction activities will continue to occur on and around the bridge, however, two lanes of traffic along S. State Street will be maintained. However, the final course of asphalt pavement and final striping will be performed in early to mid-August under traffic.
Temporary Construction Traffic Control Plan:
East Stadium Boulevard between Kipke Drive and South Industrial Highway will remain closed to pedestrian and vehicular traffic until November 14, 2012 to allow for the removal and replacement of the E. Stadium Boulevard bridges over the Ann Arbor Railroad and S. State Street. Vehicular and pedestrian detour routes will remain in place. 

Exciting Google Maps Update!

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Two years ago, Google released StyledMaps in the Google Maps API, which allows maps users to customize their maps. Last week, Google released a number of enhancements to maps that allow more contol over feature to style, and the ways you can style them.
We are serious about maps at WATS, and are excited to see local implementation of some of these themes locally. Below we've listed some great examples of these new custom themes.
So whats next, maybe a local Blue and Gold themed map? 

Transportation bill heading to President Obama's desk

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This post comes from the United States Department of Transportation's blog, Fast Lane.  Below, Ray LaHood, US Secretary of Transportation discusses his thoughts on the new transportation bill.

More than 1000 days ago, the law that guided federal investments in transportation expired. Congress extended that law several times while legislators discussed and debated what would replace it. I'm happy to say that last Friday, 373 Members of the House of Representatives and 74 Senators voted in favor of a new law that will fund federal surface transportation policy through September 2014.

This is a good bill that will create jobs, strengthen our transportation system, and grow our economy.



Transportation moves our economy, so legislation that keeps America's transportation network operating safely and reliably is a national priority. And it's no secret that I have pressed steadily for our legislators to set aside politics and pass a bipartisan bill that puts America first.

So, it is welcome news that Congress has done that.
At DOT, where safety is our number one priority, we're excited to see a transportation plan that builds on our aggressive safety efforts, including our fight against distracted driving and our push to improve transit and motor carrier safety. Whether you ride transit, travel by inter-city buses, or enjoy driving, you deserve to know that we're doing everything we can to ensure your safety and the safety of your neighbors and loved ones on America's busy transportation network.

The new law helps DOT and the States continue that effort.



The bill also provides states and communities with two years of steady funding to build the roads, bridges and transit systems they need. That means jobs. With a series of extensions during the past three years, state departments of transportation were unable to plan beyond the short term. That means contractors and construction companies were unable to plan for big projects and unable to make the kind of employment decisions that put hard-working Americans back on the job.

With a 27-month horizon of infrastructure planning, men and women can get back to work building the roads, bridges, tunnels, and transit our economy needs to stay competitive.



Fashioning a national transportation law in the current political environment is no easy task. We all agree that efforts to move people and goods safely and effectively are critical to our economic security. But we don't always agree on how best to do that.

Last Friday, Congress completed the hard work of crafting a bill that garnered bipartisan support. Now, for the good of the nation, for the good of our states, and the good of our communities, it's time to put this bill to work.


Graph courtesy The Transport Politic

East Stadium Improvement Project Update

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Notice of Updated Temporary Traffic Control Plan
E. Stadium Improvement Project
Phase II: July 6, 2012 to August 10, 2012

Location and Limits of Affected Area:
E. Stadium Blvd. between Packard Road and Brockman Blvd.

Description of Work:
The E. Stadium Improvement Project includes the installation of new 8-inch water mains on north and south sides of the street between Packard and Brockman and resurfacing of the E. Stadium Blvd. from Packard Rd. to Washtenaw Ave. The construction includes four major phases, where Phase I includes the installation of the new water main along the north side of E. Stadium Blvd. between Packard and Brockman, Phase II includes the installation of the new water main along the south side of E. Stadium Blvd. between Packard Rd. and Brockman Blvd., and Phases III and IV will resurface the pavement along the north and south sides of E. Stadium Between Brockman Blvd. and Washtenaw Ave.

Updated Temporary Construction Traffic Control Plan:
For the duration of Phase II construction at E. Stadium Blvd. between Packard Road and Brockman Blvd., there will be one eastbound and two westbound lanes of traffic. Pedestrian traffic will be maintained on both sides of E. Stadium Blvd during this phase of construction.

To maintain the safety of all, please reduce speeds and drive cautiously through work zones. We thank you in advance for your patience as these necessary public infrastructure improvements are completed.
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Yes, that urinal is talking to you

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YES, THAT URINAL IS TALKING TO YOU
RESTROOM PROMOTION ENCOURAGES SAFE, SOBER DRIVING THIS HOLIDAY
A woman’s voice in a men’s restroom? That’s the attention-getting plan behind the latest designated driver promotion now in hundreds of restrooms around the state.

Working with the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association (MLBA), restaurant and bar owners have been asked to place “talking” urinal cakes in restrooms to encourage and remind patrons to call a cab or a friend to get home safely.

The restroom reminders are part of a larger effort that also includes a statewide Fourth of July drunk driving crackdown.

“While this message isn’t new, the method of delivery certainly is,” said Michael L. Prince, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) which plans and coordinates this federally funded effort. “Not only do we want to turn some heads and get people talking, we hope everyone takes the message to heart.”

The talking urinal cakes have been used by other states for the same purpose. This one-of-a-kind promotion uses a urinal cake that features a print message and a brief motion-activated audio. According to the manufacturer, “using the elements of surprise and humor in a truly unique location will make a lasting impression on every male that sees it.” “We’re working closely with OHSP so patrons understand our members want them to get home safely every time,” says MLBA Executive Director Scott T. Ellis. “At first it may be seen as humorous, but the seriousness of the message will stand out and encourage patrons to find a safe ride home.”
Local, county and state law enforcement officers in 26 counties will conduct additional drunk driving patrols through July 8.

While enforcement is taking place across the state, the urinal cakes have been distributed in Wayne, Bay, Ottawa and Delta counties. Law enforcement agencies in other counties will be displaying banners to remind motorists of the drunk driving crackdown.

The message is especially important for young men. In 2011, men represented more than 80 percent of drinking drivers in alcohol-involved fatal crashes. Of those male drivers, more than 40 percent were men 21 to 34 years old. Statistics indicate men are arrested for drunk driving at a rate of nearly three to every one woman in Michigan.

Transportation Survey from Wayne State University

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The Transportation Research Group at Wayne State University is conducting a survey for the Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the travel preferences of commuters throughout Michigan. The survey takes about 5 to 7 minutes to complete. The responses will provide a better understanding of the decision-making habits and desires of travelers when planning both daily commute trips and vacation or recreation trips. No personal information is obtained during this survey and all responses are anonymous. 

The survey can be accessed via the following link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22G3FEQ5MPG