Talking Michigan Transportation

Gregg Brunner, Chief Operations Officer at the Michigan Department of Transportation, discusses the urgent dangers facing road crews after another preventable work-zone death. Topics include distracted driving, queue detection, connected arrow boards, smart work zones, safety cameras, and the mental-health pressures affecting construction workers. A compelling look at how technology and vigilance can make Michigan roads safer.

Tim Gates, a Michigan State University transportation safety professor, examines the growing e-bike regulatory quandary. They discuss faster acceleration, modified bikes, throttle use, helmets and rising crash concerns. The conversation explores classification and enforcement challenges, disability access, campus conflicts, Mackinac Island restrictions, and why silent, speedy e-bikes are reshaping shared trails.

Matt Chapman, executive director of Grand Rapids Whitewater, explores the Grand River’s lost rapids, dam removals, habitat restoration, recreation, and whitewater safety. Former mayor Rosalynn Bliss, now an MSU College of Human Medicine leader, recalls nearly two decades of persistence to make the river a civic priority. They discuss Indigenous connections, economic development, engineering challenges, and reconnecting the city across its river.

Garrett Dawe, MDOT’s statewide traffic safety engineer, explores why Michigan is embracing roundabouts. He discusses their dramatic impact on fatal and serious crashes, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, driver attention, costs, truck-friendly designs, and where roundabouts work best. He also shares Michigan success stories and explains how transportation officials are taking a more proactive approach to safety.

Bill Wahl, MDOT’s North Region Engineer, discusses the reopening of Michigan’s iconic Tunnel of Trees after severe flooding. He details the ongoing closure at Devil’s Elbow, long-term restoration challenges, shoreline erosion, and storm damage across northern Michigan. Wahl also previews Gaylord’s first diverging diamond interchange at I-75 and M-32, under construction through 2028.

Ed Golder, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources public information officer, explores the state’s growing deer challenge. He discusses why southern Michigan has more deer, the decline of hunting, expanded doe harvests, and hazards caused by feeding wildlife. He also highlights Hunters Feeding Michigan, which connects farm deer removal with venison donations, and efforts to reduce vehicle-deer crashes.

Amanda Novak, a Michigan Department of Transportation resource specialist focused on wildlife and transportation safety, discusses efforts to reduce vehicle-animal collisions. She explores mapping crash hotspots, tracking species, GIS modeling, wildlife corridors, and lessons from other states and Canada. She also highlights native roadside plantings, turtle fencing, and planned wildlife fencing along I-69.

Jennifer Roberts, national road usage charge lead at CDM Smith with ~15 years on alternative transportation revenues. She outlines Michigan’s RUC study and pilot planning. Topics include public outreach and education, legislative engagement, pilot design and procurement, interstate travel reconciliation, and lessons from other states. Short, forward-looking overview of the work ahead.

Joann Muller, Detroit-based Axios Future of Mobility writer covering automotive and AV trends. She discusses Amazon’s Zoox robotaxis and recent federal rule relaxations for driverless deployment. Topics include scaling and safety challenges for AV fleets, a Rivian R2 road trip with strong charging coverage, and the slow U.S. rollout of adaptive beam headlights.

Kirk Steudle, former MDOT director, recounts the Gordie Howe International Bridge’s long journey from site selection and environmental reviews to political battles, financing breakthroughs, and its hockey-inspired name. Mohammed Alghurabi, an MDOT project manager focused on community outreach, shares stories from Southwest Detroit, where trust, property concerns, and resident input shaped the project. They reflect on the bridge’s opening and its new walking and biking connections.