TRANSPORTATION PLANNING

Transportation is the key to connecting and moving people, goods and services. Whether it is getting to work by car, biking to the store, or moving freight, transportation is at the forefront of ensuring a high quality of life for the central Ohio region.

At EMCOG, our transportation planning is responsive to the changing social, economic, environmental and demographic conditions of the eastern MI region. Some of the biggest transportation issues facing our region are congestion, rural traffic safety, maintaining mobility and growth in the region, balancing the need for travel with the quality of life in communities, providing accessible travel options, sustainable funding to maintain and expand our transportation system, connecting communities through non-motorized trails and maintain our environment.

The EMCOG Transportation Planning staff has many responsibilities in the field of transportation planning.  These responsibilities are outlined in a Transportation Work Program that is annually prepared and submitted to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).   Planning staff maintain a close working relationship with MDOT as well as MDOT Regional offices. 

 

Staff activities undertaken annually include:

• Administration
• Citizen’s Guide to Transportation Planning
• Technical Assistance to MDOT
• Public Involvement
• Highway Performance Monitoring System
• Technical Assistance to Member Agencies
• Asset Management
• Heritage Route Programs
• Non-Motorized Regional Planning
• Incident Management­­
• Safe Routes to School
• Transportation Land Use And GIS Committee-TLAG- Our unique Award winning team
• Active involvement and participation with BCATS and SMATS (MPOs)

Administration

EMCOG provides program administration, management, support and financial information to satisfy the requirements of the Federal Highway Administration and MDOT.

Technical Assistance to MDOT

EMCOG assists in various tasks to update the statewide long range transportation plan (Michigan Transportation Plan) and the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).  This includes coordination and hosting of public involvement meetings as required specifically for the Michigan Transportation Plan and STIP process.

Public Involvement

EMCOG assists MDOT in providing the public an opportunity to review and comment on activities related to MDOT Programs.

Highway Performance Monitoring System

EMCOG coordinates efforts to acquire traffic counts for the Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) for sample segments annually.

Technical Assistance to Member Agencies

EMCOG provides services to local transportation entities to improve existing and new multimodal transportation systems and identify actions to improve the regional transportation system.

Heritage Routes

In 1993, the Michigan Heritage Route Program was created by Public Act 69 of 1993, giving the State of Michigan the authority to designate heritage routes. Under the Heritage Route Program administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation, local communities have the opportunity to apply to have routes designated under one of three categories: scenic, recreation, or historic. Essentially, route designation enables local communities to preserve or market the corridor with more control. Click here for more information on MDOT’s Heritage Route Program.

 

Heritage Routes within EMCOG Region:

 

M-25 through Bay City was designated as a Historic Heritage Route. The City of Bay City in conjunction with MDOT nominated the 1.5 miles long portion of M-25 which runs from Madison Avenue to Livingston Avenue. Visible from the road is the Bay County Building, which is on the National Register for Historic Places. The area also contains 48 pre-1900 and 32 1900-1929 structures, which are also on the National Register as part of the Center Avenue Historic District.

 

 

 

US-23 The Sunrise Side Coastal Highway, US-23 from Standish to Mackinaw City.

Another site for US-23 is http://heritageroute.com/

 

 

 

M-15, "...miles of smiles" is Michigan's first Recreational Heritage Route. This 90-mile route has many surprises for the visitor willing to divert from their normal course of travel.

M-15 Website: www.m15heritageroute.org

Michigan Statewide Heritage Routes Conference Presentations

MDOT Welcome

MI Heritage Routes Keynote Pianalto

Regional Corridor Management

Telling Your Story Through Interpretation

Telling Your Story Through Interpretation 2

Telling Your Story Through Interpretation 3

Heritage Route Audio Tour

Preserving Your Heritage Route Character

Preserving Your Heritage Route Character 2

Fundraising Writing

Heritage Routes and Economic Impact

Heritage Routes and Signage

Financing Your Heritage Route

Marketing Your Heritage Route, David Lorenz Travel Michigan

 

For information regarding EMCOG’s Transportation Program please contact: Anamika Laad – Planner/Program Manager, Transportation, Land Use & GIS
alaad@emcog.org , Phone: 989.797.0800, Mobile: 989.751.6022

 

This page was last updated on 9/2/2010.