Author Archives: John LaMacchia II

Regional Transit Authority to Receive Funding for Administrative Costs

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The Regional Transit Authority will receive $2 million in additional funding to help cover administrative costs. SB 608 will appropriate these much needed funds to the RTA which will help cover the cost of staff and other related administrative expenses as they work towards creating a bus rapid transit system in Southeast Michigan.

The success if the RTA is vital to the region and this state and the League will continue to support efforts that will further enhance the transportation options in Michigan.

This bill has not yet been voted out of committee and will receive another hearing this Thursday, February 20th at 9 a.m.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Legislature Takes First Step Towards Helping Municipal Budgets Hit Hard by Winter Weather

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This morning the Senate Appropriations Committee added an amendment to SB 608 that would put an extra $100 million into this year’s budget to help road agencies across this state cover excess snow removal costs that have accumulated this winter.

The $100 million will be divvied up through the state’s normal road funding formula with $39.1 million to the state transportation budget, $39.1 million to counties and $21.8 million to municipalities. We are also hopeful that most of the $39.1-million state share will flow back to counties and municipalities that contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for winter maintenance on state trunk-line routes within their boundaries.

This bill has not yet been voted out of committee and will receive another hearing this Thursday, February 20th at 9 a.m. The League is committed to finding ways to support local governments hit hard by this years winter weather and we will continue to offer our efforts to support that any additional funds that may be appropriated to our communities. Additional details can be found in this Detroit Free Press article.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate with the League handling Transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Local Bridge Program Application for FY 2017

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The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is soliciting applications for candidate projects for the Local Bridge Program; selected projects will be funded during the 2017 fiscal year. The deadline for this application in May 1st, 2014. For more information on the application requirements and the electronic application please use the following links.

FY 2017 Local Bridge Program Call for Applications

FY 2017 Call for Electronic Application Submittal

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Michigan Road Preservation Association to Host Annual Workshop

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The Michigan Road Preservation Association will be hosting their annual workshop April 2nd, 2014. The goal of the workshop is for the speakers to present and discuss with the attendees all aspects of preventive maintenance for city streets and county roads from the owners’ perspective…The emphasis this year will be on how to meet the owner’s goals for the street or road and their expectations for performance of the treatment selected…Budget considerations and historical cost ranges will also be factored into the discussion.

Registration forms for the event can be found at the following link. MRPA Registration

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Who Knew You Could Learn So Much From Snow

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As the snow piles up and winter seems like it will never end, there is a hidden lesson that can be learned before the snow melts. Snow can teach us were to create better public spaces and build more pedestrian friendly streets all while still protecting the integrity of vehicular traffic. If you are interested in learning more and adding a new word to your vocabulary, “Sneckdowns”, please read the following links.

“Sneckdowns” and Better Public Spaces

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Governor’s Transportation Budget Does Not Include Long-Term Funding Solution

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The Governor has release his annual budget recommendations but they did not include a long-term solution for transportation funding. The budget included $3.4 billion in ongoing funding and $254 million in on-time general fund spending for 2015.

The $254 million in general fund dollars will be split into two areas. Current transportation revenues are no longer sufficient to match all of Michigan’s available transportation aid. A total  of $139 million will be used to leverage federal dollars. The remaining $115 million will be used for state trunkline road and bridge projects.

The Governor states that he is still committed to securing a comprehensive transportation funding solution. The League appreciates his commitment to the issue but what we need is action. For to long we have neglected our infrastructure in this state and our local communities and their residents are bearing the cost as a result. It is time to address this issue and the League is fully committed to helping find a solution. An investment in our local infrastructure is critical for our state to thrive.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

MDOT Releases Presentation on ADA Ramp Guidelines

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The Michigan Department of Transportation has provided the Michigan Municipal League with a PowerPoint presentation regarding the new ADA ramp guidelines. MDOT ADA Presentation

In addition MDOT has release a draft memo on Local Agency 3R guidelines to address changes in ADA requirements and how standards apply for a project with 3R and 4R work. LAP 3R Guidelines 2013 10-21 Draft

For the changes in ADA ramps, the following is a memo that FHWA and DOJ worked on jointly to address different interpretations of when ADA ramps are required for road projects that are considered alterations. The main change is Microsurfacing, Cape Seals and certain multiple CPM treatments will now be considered an alteration and will require ADA ramps to be upgraded.  For multiple CPM treatments, if more than one of those treatments contains aggregate and/or filler, the combination will be considered an alteration. 2013-07-30 – BRIEF – ADA Resurfacing Technical Assistance

For a project that includes 3R and 4R work, the applicable standards will correspond individually to each work type (3R or 4R) within the limits of that work.

FHWA has requested that MDOT implement the revised ADA requirements beginning with projects in the March 2014 bid letting. MDOT has requested that any comments or concerns be sent directly to Larry Doyle. He can be reached at DoyleL@Michigan.gov.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

MDOT Announces Constructing Pedestrian Facilities for Accessibility Workshops

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In this hands-on workshop, experts from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the Michigan Concrete Association (MCA), along with industry consultants will teach proper design, planning, and construction procedures for complying with ADA requirements.

Workshop Date(s): 

Tuesday, February 4, 2014 – 7:30am to 12:00pm

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 – 7:30am to 12:00pm

Tuesday, April 1, 2014 – 7:30am to 12:00pm

Location

MITA Building, 2937 Atrium Dr., Okemos, MI 48864

Registration

The cost to attend this workshop is $65 per person, which includes all workshop materials. To register, contact the Center for Technology & Training (CTT) ctt@mtu.edu or call at (906)-487-2102 with the attendee’s contact information (name, agency, title, email) and the name of the event..

For more information regarding this on-site training, see the flyer located at: http://www.michiganltap.org/sites/ltap/files/workshops/ADA_compliance_2014.pdf

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

MDOT Releases Revised Guidelines for ADA Ramps

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The Michigan Department of Transportation has release a draft memo on Local Agency 3R guidelines to address changes in ADA requirements and how standards apply for a project with 3R and 4R work. LAP 3R Guidelines 2013 10-21 Draft

For the changes in ADA ramps, the following is a memo that FHWA and DOJ worked on jointly to address different interpretations of when ADA ramps are required for road projects that are considered alterations. The main change is Microsurfacing, Cape Seals and certain multiple CPM treatments will now be considered an alteration and will require ADA ramps to be upgraded.  For multiple CPM treatments, if more than one of those treatments contains aggregate and/or filler, the combination will be considered an alteration. 2013-07-30 – BRIEF – ADA Resurfacing Technical Assistance

For a project that includes 3R and 4R work, the applicable standards will correspond individually to each work type (3R or 4R) within the limits of that work.

FHWA has requested that MDOT implement the revised ADA requirements beginning with projects in the March 2014 bid letting. MDOT has requested that any comments or concerns be sent directly to Larry Doyle. He can be reached at DoyleL@Michigan.gov.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

 

Angled Parking Legislation Receives Senate Approval, Awaits Governor’s Signature

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The Michigan Senate, by a unanimous vote of 38-0, approved HB 5073 and it has been sent to the Governor for his signature. This bill would allow MDOT to approved angled parking on state trunklines at the request of a local municipality. The Michigan Municipal League would like to thank Rep. Peter Pettalia for sponsoring this legislation and his commitment to getting this legislation enacted.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.