Michigan Department of Transportation
TheMichigan Department of Transportation(MDOT) is a constitutionalgovernmentprincipal department of the US state ofMichigan.The primary purpose of MDOT is to maintain theMichigan State Trunkline Highway Systemwhich includes all Interstate, US and state highways in Michigan with the exception of theMackinac Bridge.[b]Other responsibilities that fall under MDOT's mandate include airports, shipping and rail in Michigan.
 MDOT Logo | |
| Department overview | |
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| Formed | July 1, 1905 |
| Preceding department |
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| Jurisdiction | State of Michigan |
| Headquarters | 425West Ottawa Street Lansing, Michigan48933 42°44′04″N84°33′30″W/ 42.73444°N 84.55833°W |
| Annual budget | $4.7 Billion[1][a] |
| Department executives |
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| Key document | |
| Website | www |
The predecessor to today's MDOT was theMichigan State Highway Department(MSHD) that was formed on July 1, 1905 after a constitutional amendment was approved that year. The first activities of the department were to distribute rewards payments to local units of government for road construction and maintenance. In 1913, the state legislature authorized the creation of the state trunkline highway system, and the MSHD paid double rewards for those roads. These trunklines were signed in 1919, making Michigan the second state to post numbers on its highways. The department continued to improve roadways under its control through theGreat Depressionand intoWorld War II.During the war, the state built its firstfreeways.These freeways became the start ofMichigan's section of the Interstate Highway System.Since the mid-1960s, the department was reorganized. It was renamed theMichigan Department of State Highwaysfor a time. Further changes culminated in adding all modes of transportation to the department's portfolio. In August 1973, the department was once again renamed to theMichigan Department of State Highways and Transportationby executive order. The name was later simplified and shortened to that of today.
History
editEarly history
edit
The first State Highway Department was created on July 1, 1905.[3]The department was born out of theGood Roads Movementat the turn of the century. Bicycle enthusiasts as a part of theLeague of American Wheelmenpushed for better roads and streets. They also wanted to ensure that bicyclists could use these streets and roads free from interference from horsedrawn vehicles. This movement persuaded theMichigan State Legislatureto form a State Highway Commission in 1892. Another law in 1893 allowed voters in each county to establish county road commissions.[4]The attention of Michigan residents was turned to the good-roads movement byHoratio S. Earle,the first state highway commission. In 1900 he organized the first International Road Congress inPort Huronand even put together a tour of a 1 mi (1.6 km)macadamroad. He even ran for thestate senatein 1900 at the urging of the Detroit Wheelmen bicycle club.[5]The legislature set up a state reward system for highways and created the State Highway Department with an office of Highway Commissioner. Earle was appointed by GovernorAaron Bliss.This appointment and department were voided when theattorney generalruled the law unconstitutional. A constitutional amendment was passed in 1905 to reverse this decision. The department was formed, and Earle was appointed commissioner by GovernorFred M. Warneron July 1, 1905.[3]
At first the department administered rewards to the counties and townships for building roads to state minimum specifications. In 1905 there were 68,000 mi (110,000 km) of roads in Michigan. Of these roads, only 7,700 mi (12,000 km) were improved with gravel and 245 mi (394 km) were macadam. The state's "statute labor system" was abolished in 1907. Under that system, a farmer and a team of horses could work on road improvements in place of paying road taxes. Instead a property tax system was instituted with the funding only for permanent improvements, not maintenance. The nation's first mile ofconcreteroadway was laid alongWoodward Avenuebetween Six Mile and Seven Mile roads inDetroit.This section of street was 17 feet 8 inches (5.38 m) wide. Work began by theWayne CountyRoad Commission on April 2, 1909 and finished on July 4, 1909, at a cost of $13,354 (equivalent to $323,967 in 2023[6]).[7]
In 1913 voters elected Frank Rogers to the post of highway commissioner. This election was the first after the legislature made it an elective post. Automobile registrations surged to 20 times the level at the department's formation, to 60,438, and there were 1,754 mi (2,823 km) of roads built under the rewards system. Passage of the "State Trunkline Act" provided for 3,000 mi (4,828 km) of roadways with double rewards payments.[8]Further legislation during the Rogers administration allowed for special assessment taxing districts for road improvements, taxation of automobiles based on weight and horsepower and tree-planting along highway roadsides. Another law allowed the commissioner to name all unnamed state roads. It also allowed for the posting of signage with the names and distances to towns.[9]The centerline was first invented in 1911 inWayne Countyby Edward N. Hines, and saw its first implementation on a state highway in 1917 along the Marquette-Negaunee Road, then M-15 and nowCounty Road 492in Marquette County. That same year, the first stop sign was put in place and the country's first "crow's nest" traffic signal tower was installed in Detroit. This traffic light using red-yellow-green was developed by William Potts, a Detroit police officer.[10] Michigan is also home to the firstsnowplow.[11]This winter maintenance started duringWorld War Ito keep 590 mi (950 km) of strategic highways clear.[10]In 1919 Michigan first signed the trunklines, the second state afterWisconsinto do so.[12]
The first ferry service was started on July 1, 1923, linking Michigan'sUpperandLowerpeninsulas. The first gasoline tax was enacted in 1923 at the rate of $0.02/gal (equivalent to $0.36/gal in 2023[13]), but vetoed by GovernorAlex Groesbeck.[14]It was later enacted effective in 1926. The highway commissioner was also given complete control over the planning and maintenance of the state trunklines. Construction switched to concrete orasphaltonly instead of gravel and macadam with an increase in the gas tax in 1927. Highway construction in the 1920s earned Michigan national attention. The first trunklline completed in concrete wasM-16(later part ofUS 16). The road was built to a standard of 20 ft (6.1 m) and between 7–9 in (17.8–22.9 cm) thick. The current standard at the time was 16 ft (4.9 m) wide and 6 in (15.2 cm) thick.[15]The 1920s were also busy for Michigan highways as Michigan developed the yellow-line center line to indicate no-passing zones for sight-restricted hills and curves. Roadside picnic tables, soil testing and aerial surveying of highways also debuted at this time. As MDOT historians put it, "the age of mud was over; the age of concrete was moving in.[16]
Later history
editDuring theGreat Depression,highway construction slowed down with decreased gas tax and property tax revenues. License plate fees were sent to the counties for road funding starting in 1932 and road crews made of "reliefers". The federal aid money was split between the highway department and the welfare department. The county welfare agencies supplied workers on road construction projects across the state.[17]Roadside parks and travel information centers debuted in the 1930s as well.[18]DuringWorld War IIthe department built theWillow Run Expresswayand theDetroit Industrial Expresswayin 11 months so workers could get to theFord Motor Company's bomber plant atWillow Run.[19]When theInterstate Highway Systemwas created in the late 1950s, Michigan modified existing freeway plans to fit the Interstate standards. In the 1960s nearly 1,000 mi (2,000 km) of freeways were built at an average pace of one new mile every three to four days. Michigan was also the first state to complete a border to border Interstate,I-94fromNew Buffaloto Detroit running 205 mi (330 km).[20]The 1950s and 60s also brought the completion of several major bridges in Michigan, theMackinac Bridgein 1957, thePortage Lake Lift Bridgein 1959 and theInternational Bridgein 1962. The biggest bridge designed by the department spanned theRiver Rougecarrying theFisher Freeway (I-75).This bridge was 8,367 ft (2,550 m) long and 115 ft (35 m) high.[21]
The adoption of the 1963 Constitution reorganized the department. No longer would the highway commissioner be elected. Instead, a six-member commission appointed by the governor and headed day to day by a department director initial appointed by the commission. The new commission would also have jurisdiction over "such other public works of the state as provided by law.[22]At the time, the name was rearranged to the Michigan Department of State Highways. The legislative authorization led to 1970s reorganization of the department. An executive order by GovernorWilliam G. Millikengave the department authority over all transportation programs in Michigan. The department was renamed on August 23, 1973, to the Michigan Department of State Highways and Transportation giving it responsibility for aviation, railroads, buses, ships, ports and non-motorized pathways and trails.[23]In 1976, the department acquired theAnn Arbor Railroad.The acquisition included right-of-way fromAshleytoCadillacand fromAnn ArbortoToledo, Ohio.At the time, the department gained the rolling stock of the railroad in the first such purchase by the department.[24]The name of the department was later shortened to the current form in 1978.[25]
In November 1978, Michigan voters approved Proposal M, which, in addition to allocating gas tax revenues, replaced the Michigan State Highway Commission with the Michigan State Transportation Commission.[26]By 1983, the department director became appointed by the state governor.
Leadership
editState Highway Commissioners
edit- Horatio S. Earle,1905–1909
- Townsend A. Ely, 1909–1913
- Frank F. Rogers, 1913–1929
- Grover C. Dillman,1929–1933
- Murray Van Wagoner,1933–1940
- Donald Kennedy, 1940–1942
- Lloyd B. Reid, 1942–1943
- Charles M. Ziegler, 1943–1957
- John C. Mackie,1957–1965
Department Directors
edit- Howard E. Hill, 1965–1967
- Henrik E. Stafseth, 1967–1972
- John P. Woodford, 1972–1982
- James P. Pitz, 1982–1991
- Patrick M. Nowak, 1991–1996
- Robert Welke, 1996–1997
- James R. DeSana, 1997–2001
- Gregory J. Rosine, 2001–2002
- Gloria J. Jeff, 2003–2006
- Kirk T. Steudle, 2006–2018
- Mark Van Port Fleet, 2018
- Paul C. Ajegba, 2019–2022
- Brad Wieferich, 2023–present
Transportation Commission
editThe Michigan State Transportation Commission establishes policy for the Michigan Department of Transportation as they relate to transportation programs, facilities, and developments.[27]The Michigan State Transportation Commission is composed of six members, serving three-year terms, appointed by theGovernor of Michiganwith the advice and consent of theMichigan Senate.[28][27]
Membership
editTheConstitution of Michiganrequires that no more than three members be from the same political party.
| Name | Hometown | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Hayes† | Midland | March 5, 2021 | December 21, 2023 |
| Rita Brown | Birmingham | April 2023 | December 21, 2025 |
| Gregory C. Johnson | Wixom | August 7, 2020 | December 21, 2024 |
| Heath E. Salisbury | Gaines | April 8, 2022 | December 21, 2024 |
| Richard W. Turner | Monroe | March 5, 2021 | December 21, 2023 |
| Rhonda Welburn | Detroit | April 2023 | December 21, 2025 |
| †Vice-Chair | |||
Michigan Aeronautics Commission
editThe Michigan Aeronautics Commission is charged with creating rules regarding airports, related facilities and pilot training. It is composed of five gubernatorial appointees and 4 department head representatives.[29]
| Name | Hometown | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russell Kavalhuna† | Dearborn | May 26, 2021 | May 27, 2025 |
| Kelly Burris‡ | Pleasant Ridge | July 14, 2019 | May 27, 2023 |
| Benjamin R. Carter | Farmington Hills | May 26, 2021 | May 27, 2024 |
| Rick J. Fiddler | Ada | May 28, 2021 | May 27, 2024 |
| Brian R. Smith | Grand Ledge | 2019 | May 27, 2023 |
| F/LT. Brian Bahlau | Representative for theMichigan State Police | ||
| Brig. Gen. Bryan J. Teff | Representative for theMichigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs | ||
| Kevin Jacobs | Representative for theMichigan Department of Natural Resources | ||
| Laura J. Mester | Representative of the MDOT Director | ||
| Mike Trout | Ex-officio director of the Michigan Aeronautics Commission as the Director of the Bureau of Aeronautics and Freight Services of MDOT | ||
| †Chair,‡Vice-Chair Information from the Bureau of Aeronautics[30] | |||
Department organization
edit
BayGrandMetroNorth
SouthwestSuperiorUniversity
MDOT is organized into seven regions statewide and a series of divisions and bureaus that report through two chief officers to the department director. The chief administrative officer oversees the sections of the department related to aviation and aeronautics, finances, transportation planning and human resources. The chief operations officers supervises the seven regional offices, and the divisions devoted to highway research, design and construction.
The offices devoted to communications, passenger transportation and business and economic affairs report to director of the department.[31]TheMackinac Bridge Authoritycoordinates its activities to maintain theMackinac Bridgeas an independent agency through the department director.[2]The International Bridge Administration (IBA) is the arm of the department responsible to the Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority. That authority maintains theInternational Bridge.[32]The IBA reports to the chief administrative officer.[31]
Bureau of Aeronautics and Freight Services
editThe Bureau of Aeronautics and Freight Services carries out the enforcement of theCommission'srules. It has three divisions: Airports Division, Aviation Services, and Freight Services. The bureau, along with the Passenger Transportation Bureau, was formed out of the Multi-Modal Transportation Services Bureau in 2006.[33] The Airports Division runs development programs for airports which includes planning, design safety evaluation and construction. Additionally, this division licenses airports, flight schools, aircraft, and aircraft dealers and inspects airports. Seminars for pilots are run to keep license pilots up to date on current procedures.[29]Mike Trout oversees the Aeronautics.[33]The Aviation Services Division assists airports in bring in and retaining airline services. Through the Airport Preservation Program, this division aids at risk airports to find ways to stay open.[29]
Railroad subsidies
editThe department providessubsidiestoAmtrakMichigan Servicesoperations in the state for theBlue Water,Wolverineand thePere Marquettelines.[34][35]
See also
edit
Notes
edit- ^For Fiscal Year 2019.
- ^TheMackinac Bridge Authority(MBA) is an independent state agency responsible for the Mackinac Bridge and thus maintains that section of the overall highway system. The MBA works with MDOT but does not report to it. The executive secretary of the MBA is appointed by MDOT with MBA approval.[2]
References
edit- ^Michigan Department of Management and Budget(February 7, 2018)."FY19 Executive Budget"(PDF).State of Michigan.RetrievedNovember 26,2018.
- ^abMackinac Bridge Authority(September 20, 2005)."Granholm Approves MDOT, Bridge Authority Agreement Securing Bridge's Future"(Press release). Mackinac Bridge Authority.RetrievedNovember 29,2010.
- ^ab*Kulsea, Bill & Shawver, Tom (1980).Making Michigan Move: A History of Michigan Highways and the Michigan Department of Transportation.Lansing: Michigan Department of Transportation. p. 3.OCLC8169232.
- ^Kulsea & Shawver (1980),p. 1.
- ^Kulsea & Shawver (1980),p. 2.
- ^Johnston, Louis & Williamson, Samuel H. (2023)."What Was the U.S. GDP Then?".MeasuringWorth.RetrievedNovember 30,2023.United StatesGross Domestic Product deflatorfigures follow theMeasuringWorthseries.
- ^Kulsea & Shawver (1980),p. 5.
- ^Kulsea & Shawver (1980),p. 7.
- ^Kulsea & Shawver (1980),p. 9.
- ^abKulsea & Shawver (1980),p. 10.
- ^Michigan Department of Transportation (n.d.)."Transportation Timeline".Michigan Department of Transportation.RetrievedApril 18,2008.
- ^Michigan State Highway Department (July 1, 1919).State of Michigan(Map). Scale not given. Lansing: Michigan State Highway Department. Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula sheets.OCLC15607244.
- ^1634–1699:McCusker, J. J.(1997).How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda(PDF).American Antiquarian Society.1700–1799:McCusker, J. J.(1992).How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States(PDF).American Antiquarian Society.1800–present:Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis."Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–".RetrievedFebruary 29,2024.
- ^Kulsea & Shawver (1980),p. 11.
- ^Kulsea & Shawver (1980),p. 12.
- ^Kulsea & Shawver (1980),p. 13.
- ^Kulsea & Shawver (1980),p. 15.
- ^Kulsea & Shawver (1980),p. 17.
- ^Kulsea & Shawver (1980),p. 18.
- ^Kulsea & Shawver (1980),p. 20.
- ^Kulsea & Shawver (1980),pp. 22–23.
- ^Kulsea & Shawver (1980),p. 24.
- ^Kulsea & Shawver (1980),p. 27.
- ^Michigan Department of Transportation (2014).Michigan's Railroad History 1825–2014(PDF).Michigan Department of Transportation. p. 24.RetrievedApril 29,2024.
- ^Kulsea & Shawver (1980),pp. 30–31.
- ^Michigan Secretary of State(December 5, 2008)."Initiatives and Referendums under the Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963"(PDF).Michigan Secretary of State.RetrievedMarch 23,2016.
- ^abMichigan Department of Transportation (n.d.)."About the State Transportation Commission".Michigan Department of Transportation.RetrievedMarch 23,2016.
- ^Michigan Department of Transportation (n.d.)."Michigan State Transportation Commission".Michigan Department of Transportation.RetrievedApril 27,2023.
- ^abcMichigan Department of Transportation (2007)."A Citizen's Guide to MDOT"(PDF).Michigan Department of Transportation.RetrievedAugust 22,2008.
- ^Bureau of Aeronautics."Michigan Aeronautics Commission".Michigan Department of Transportation.RetrievedApril 27,2023.
- ^abMichigan Department of Transportation (August 2010)."MDOT Organizational Chart"(PDF).Michigan Department of Transportation.RetrievedNovember 29,2010.
- ^International Bridge Administration (September 24, 2009)."Welcome to the International Bridge".Michigan Department of Transportation.RetrievedNovember 29,2010.
- ^abMichigan Aeronautics Commission (October 24, 2006)."Rob Abent".Michigan Aeronautics Commission.RetrievedAugust 22,2008.
- ^Michigan Services (n.d.)."Routes: Midwest".Amtrak.RetrievedNovember 23,2013.
- ^Amtrak (n.d.)."Amtrak Fact Sheet, Fiscal Year 2005"(PDF).Amtrak.RetrievedOctober 30,2006.