Talking Michigan Transportation

On the latest Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, MDOT Director of Communications Jeff Cranson talks with Mohammed Alghurabi, a veteran project manager. Mohammed talks about his career path and his decades-long work on what is now the Gordie Howe International Bridge.Mohammed also discusses:— his work as project manager on the M-6 freeway in Ottawa and Kent counties;— and how work as a project manager requires a great deal of communication and relationship building. #welcomingweekLinkshttps://www.gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com/enhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-6_(Michigan_highway)

This week’s guest: Brad Wieferich, director of MDOT’s Bureau of Development, which includes the design, real estate and permits sections. Wieferich talks about the cost of road-building materials and the process of estimating construction projects.He also talks about MDOT’s robust asset management program and addresses two other perennial questions: — Do Michigan road builders use the best materials? — Why does it seem a road that saw work recently is under construction again?Links:Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council https://www.michigan.gov/tamc/MDOT bridge slidehttps://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9620-339743--,00.html

On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, MDOT Communications Director Jeff Cranson hosts conversations with Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) Executive Secretary Kim Nowack and MBA Chairman Shorty Gleason about the 2019 Annual Bridge Walk this past Labor Day.— Kim Nowack,* who was named head administrator of the MBA in July, is pleased with participation** and the safety of the 2019 Annual Bridge Walk.— The conversation also touches on the ongoing education and communications efforts since major changes were required for the event starting in 2017. https://youtu.be/lFR_HOE7NKw— Later, Shorty Gleason talks about why this year's Annual Bridge Walk was special for his family.*** Shorty’s father was an iron worker who helped build the Mackinac Bridge. See a time lapse video of the 2019 Annual Bridge Walk: https://youtu.be/rfiZAOA_9fs.* https://www.mlive.com/news/2019/09/thousands-cross-the-mackinac-bridge-for-62nd-labor-day-walk.html** https://www.mlive.com/news/2019/09/thousands-cross-the-mackinac-bridge-for-62nd-labor-day-walk.html*** https://twitter.com/jdcranson/status/1168536094314573824?s=21

This is the inaugural edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast. Jeff Cranson, MDOT director of communications, talks with MDOT Director Paul Ajegba about his path to the department and passion for transportation.This week:Director Ajegba’s focus on alleviating congestion and improving safety and travel times with innovations like the Flex Route on US-23 north of Ann Arbor.The need for more transportation funding in Michigan and how MDOT and industry will respond. The mobility preferences of future generations — cycling, rail, transit, connected and automated vehicles — and how to adapt.The director’s first annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk and expectations for the second year of the new configuration.