Talking Michigan Transportation

Gregg Brunner, MDOT Chief Operations Officer who leads statewide roadway operations and safety programs, discusses the recent drop in Michigan highway fatalities. He talks about factors behind improved safety and specific road design fixes. He outlines work zone tech pilots and the push to implement safety cameras while urging drivers to slow down and stay buckled.

Annual numbers are out from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the rate of fatal crashes on our nation’s roads continued to trend in the right direction in 2025. That was true in Michigan as well following 2020 and 2021 when the number of fatal crashes spiked during the earliest months of the pandemic as law enforcement agencies observed people driving at much higher speeds and many even abandoning seat belt use. Next week, some Michigan officials will join the podcast to talk about the trends.  This week, listen to a reprise of an episode from 2021 when experts from Michigan State University and the Washington, D.C.-based Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) talked about the disturbing trends then.

Matt Chynoweth, former MDOT chief bridge engineer now leading RS&H’s bridge practice, offers national perspective on ice mitigation. Joe Shampine, Mackinac Bridge maintenance supervisor, explains real-world decision-making and risks when heavy ice falls. They discuss why closures happen, why quick fixes fail, mechanical and passive mitigation options, and how other bridges handle similar hazards.

Ben Stupka, executive director of the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan and urban/regional planner, discusses regional transit funding, coordination, and services. He highlights express bus wins like D2A2 and airport links. Technology and mobility programs such as a regional transit app and MyRide2 concierge are covered. The conversation focuses on incremental steps toward bigger transit projects.

Patrick McCarthy, MDOT Director of Finance who oversees state transportation financing and bond deals, discusses the STC’s amendment to boost bonding for major highway and bridge rebuilds. He explains how bond premiums increased funding. They also cover debt trade-offs, investor appeal of MDOT bonds, coverage rules, refunding strategy, and timing of new revenues.

Joann Muller, transportation correspondent at Axios and author of the Future of Mobility newsletter, breaks down EV affordability, Ford’s push for a $30K platform, and battery supply moves. She discusses charging infrastructure growth, how federal policy shapes autonomous vehicle development, and realistic safety limits for robotaxis. Short, sharp takes on industry shifts and regional factory impacts.

Karen Faussett, MDOT travel forecasting lead who models economic benefits of transportation investment. Heath Salisbury, Operating Engineers Local 324 training director and veteran heavy-equipment operator. They discuss how infrastructure funding supports thousands of trades jobs. They cover apprenticeship costs and training facilities. They explain how investment translates into jobs and wider economic impacts, and risks from funding uncertainty.

Patrick McCarthy, MDOT finance director leading Michigan’s road user charge study and pilot. Barbara Rohde, executive director of the Mileage-Based User Fee Alliance, advancing mileage-based funding nationally. They discuss Michigan’s pilot kickoff and advisory structure. They explore international RUC examples, congressional shifts, privacy options, interstate data needs, and outreach strategies to build trust.

Casey Whitson, a Michigan second-generation ironworker whose father built Detroit landmarks, and Jason Huggett, a Canadian second-generation ironworker whose father worked on the Blue Water Bridge, share their roles on the Gordie Howe International Bridge. They discuss life on the job, coordinating cross-border crews, the handshake moment atop the span, working at height, and plans after the project.

Mike Hayes, former Midland lawmaker and 14-year Michigan State Transportation Commission member, reflects on his tenure and service on the International Authority for the Gordie Howe International Bridge. He discusses the STC’s policymaking role, the 2020 Rebuilding Michigan bond approval, how MDOT adopts new technologies, and lessons about who actually does roadwork and why contracting matters.