ROAD SAFETY STRESSED
Officials advise caution, two road workers died in local incidents in 2020
Macomb County officials are warning motorists to remain alert and drive cautiously in work zones to keep road workers safe as the long road-construction season kicks off.
County Executive Mark Hackel and Leo Ciavatta, Department of Roads maintenance supervisor, spoke along Mound Road in Sterling Heights on Thursday to remind drivers in advance of National Work Zone Awareness Week, which takes place April 11-15
Mound is the site of the $217-million Innovate Mound Project, which will reconstruct approximately nine miles of the Mound Road corridor in Warren and Sterling Heights.
“Construction season is underway and we strongly encourage drivers to obey traffic laws and speed limits in and around work zones,” Hackel said in a news release. “While road crews perform essential work, it’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure we all get home safely.”
The event included county Roads Department officials.
“Our team works closely with local contractors and engineers to build some of the safest and most efficient roads in Michigan,” Department of Roads Director Bryan Santo said. “With the support of the motoring public, our goal is to fix Macomb County’s roads and bridges while keeping our work zones as safe as possible.”
In recent years in Macomb County, two road construction workers lost their lives. Zach Morisette was killed in September 2020 while filling potholes along Interstate 94 in St. Clair Shores and Allen Craig of Dan’s Excavating died in October 2020 following an incident in Richmond.
In Michigan in 2020, there were 14 work zone fatalities in 11 crashes, 1,050 work-zone injuries and 4,025 work-zone crashes, according to the state Department of Transportation.
The number of traffic fatalities in Michigan overall was up more than 10% in 2021, according to the state. Macomb County saw a nearly 50-percent increase in all traffic fatalities in 2021, with 55 compared to 37 in 2020, according to the Macomb County Traffic Safety Association.
To help keep the roads safe, MCDR strongly encourages drivers to practice these driving tips:
• Plan ahead by leaving early and/or using an alternate route.
• Obey work-zone signs, cones, barrels, construction equipment and workers who direct traffic.
• Slow down and obey reduced speed limits.
• Follow the move-over law when passing work crews and vehicles parked along the shoulder with a flashing warning light.
• Avoid distractions, such as cell phone use, and keep your eyes on the road.
The county also plans to complete $80 million in road, bridge and traffic improvements this year.
The construction program includes 12 primary and local road projects and eight bridges and culverts, in addition to more than 20 asphalt resurfacing and concrete pavement repair projects as part of the department’s pavement preservation program. Three Macomb County bridges were also selected by the MDOT to receive funding for re
habilitation and major improvements in 2022.
Multiple maintenance projects and traffic technology and communication network modernizations also are planned for this year.
Also included are six township residential streets as part of the subdivision reconstruction program, which provides funding assistance to townships.
Hackel noted the key role of county roads employees and road workers.
“From major reconstruction to enhancing the safety and efficiency of our roadways, these projects are critical to the ever growing infrastructure needs in our community,” Hackel said. “We will continue to advocate for additional structural funding from our state and federal partners to ensure the more than $2 billion dollars in road improvements needed across Macomb County are resolved.”
The Innovate Mound project from Hall Road (M-59) south to Interstate 696 began slowly last August and has ramped up this spring, with the right two lanes closed in both directions from north of 15 Mile Road to Hall in Sterling Heights. North-end work should be completed this year and the section from about 15 Mile to I-696 will be done next year. Final work will be completed in 2024.
The project’s innovations include enhanced connectivity by incorporating state-of-the-art design and smart technology. It will include new pavement, drainage, curbs and approaches, traffic signal optimization, roadway widening, connected vehicle and fiber optic communications technology, enhanced nonmotorized facilities, and energy-efficient lighting.
For a complete list of 2022 projects, maps and information, visit roads. macombgov.org. For more information regarding work zone safety and Work Zone Awareness Week, visit nwzaw.org.