Category Archives: FYI

Mechanic Street to close on Feb. 27

Mechanic Street to close on Feb. 27
for railroad bridge construction work in Jackson
 

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will close Mechanic Street to resume improvements around a railroad bridge. This work is part of the Jackson Railroad Bridges Replacement Project to replace two century-old railroad bridges over Jackson and Mechanic streets. The project also includes replacement of the railroad grade crossing at Blackstone Street.  

The bridges are on a segment of railroad owned by MDOT within the federally designated high-speed rail corridor between Chicago and Detroit/Pontiac, supporting Amtrak passenger service and Norfolk Southern freight trains. The $32.9 million project is estimated to be completed in October 2023. 

County:
Jackson 

Roads/Streets:
Mechanic Street 

Closest city:
Jackson 

Start date:
7 a.m.
Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 

Completion date:
October 2023

Traffic restrictions:
Mechanic Street will close to traffic on Feb. 27 and Blackstone Street will close in early April. Jackson Street will remain open until the railroad bridges are replaced in August. Detroit and Van Buren streets will remain closed through the end of the project. Motorists should follow the posted detours. 

Safety benefit:
Replacing these bridges will ensure smooth and safe railroad operations while maintaining this vital part of the state’s economy. Closing streets during this type of work is necessary to provide the safest work area possible for crews and motorists. 

Talking Michigan Transportation podcast

Tim Hoeffner, unplugged: What’s the future for passenger rail service in Michigan?

On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation about passenger rail service in the state. Tim Hoeffner, a former director of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Office of Rail and now a consultant with Quandel and Associates, is the guest.

Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/11579124-tim-hoeffner-unplugged-what-s-the-future-for-passenger-rail-service-in-michigan

PSA: Railroad Crossings

An average-length freight train traveling at 55 miles per hour may take the length of 18 football fields to stop.

A train can pass through a segment of track at any time, so always practice patience at highway rail-grade crossings. You know it’s true that there’s no excuse that’s worth risking your life for at a highway rail-grade crossing. Always stop and wait for the train to pass. Stop. Trains Can’t. For more information visit nhtsa.gov/train