Michigan legislative delegation tours roadway work zone with ATSSA members and staff

A delegation from the Michigan legislature, in partnership with the Michigan ATSSA Chapter (MI-ATSSA) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), toured an active work zone this week in Flint. 

The legislators experienced first-hand how intense a roadway construction rebuild site can be for workers and motorists. 

As pictured above, Michigan ATSSA Chapter President Stephanie Boileau, right, chatted with state Rep. John Cherry (D-49) as they walked along the construction site at Interstate 69 in Flint, Mich. Touring with them are, in the second row, from left, ATSSA Director of State Government Relations Renee Gibson, Rep. Tim Sneller (D- 50), and Michigan ATSSA Chapter Treasurer Brian Sarkella.

The legislative delegation included Sneller, Cherry, picutred at left with Boileau and Sarkella, and Montel Menifee from the office of Michigan Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich. The tour on Monday focused on safety for both workers and motorists within work zones. 

MDOT officials and engineers from Rowe Professional Services Co., the lead construction engineering firm on the project, also took part in the tour.

They visited the I-69 rebuild, a massive project that is tackling a more than 2-mile stretch of roadway.  Included in the scope of the project are more than 20 ramps and other structures, including the Interstate 475 interchange. 

The project started ahead of schedule as a result of the state’s Rebuilding Michigan bonding program.  

Rowe Professional Services is one of several ATSSA members working on the project, including Give ‘Em A Brake Safety, which is providing temporary traffic control devices, and P.K. Contracting, which is providing temporary and permanent pavement markings.

The delegation was able to safely experience what it is like to work within a few feet of traffic, where vehicles were traveling in excess of work zone speed limits.

During the visit, the delegation was reminded of the roadway safety industry’s goal of moving toward zero deaths. In the last five years, Michigan recorded 90 work zone fatalities, which included both workers and motorists.

ATSSA looks forward to continuing work with Michigan legislators on safety enforcement efforts and critical infrastructure funding issues, Gibson said.

For more information, contact ATSSA Government Relations at govrelations@atssa.com.