Capitol and Community Update

Dear Friend,

Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! Read on for legislative updates and things to do this month, along with other community information.

M-15/Lapeer Road intersection updates in Davison Township start Aug. 20

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will invest $425,000 in signal and intersection upgrades at the M-15/Lapeer Road intersection in Davison Township. Work includes modernizing the traffic signal, adjusting left-turn phasing, curb, gutter, sidewalk and ramp improvements compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), resurfacing of the roadway, and creating a dedicated right-turn lane for M-15 traffic accessing Lapeer Road.

Motorists can expect daytime single-lane and shoulder closures during signal and sidewalk work. Pavement resurfacing will occur during overnight hours (9 p.m. – 6 a.m.) with single-lane closures and flag control.

This work will improve signal operations at the intersection and create a smoother driving surface with ADA-compliant ramps at all quadrants of the intersection.

The project is estimated to be completed on Friday, Sept. 28.

MDOT Modernizes Mi Drive Site for Motorists

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has launched its newly designed Mi Drive construction and traffic information website. With motorists in mind, the streamlined Mi Drive website makes it even easier to view traffic cameras and speeds, locate incidents, and search construction projects – helping motorists know before they go.

Inside the new Mi Drive website, motorists will be able to turn on layers on the map that show speeds, construction, cameras, incidents, snowplow and maintenance vehicles, and truck parking locations and information on state highways. Motorists also can favorite their most-used cameras for easy viewing. New traffic lists make it simple for motorists to search and sort construction, camera and truck parking information, as well as having the option to go to that information directly on the map. Resource links allow motorists to sign up to receive MDOT traffic alerts via email or text, report potholes on state trunklines and locate carpool lots, rest areas and roadside parks.

As with the previous version of Mi Drive, Facebook, Twitter and email buttons are available so that motorists can easily share information they are viewing on social media sites, personal websites, or with other motorists. For those crossing into Canada, the bridge and tunnel icons provide a direct link to each site where up-to-date border wait times and toll information can be found.

MDOT's Mi Drive site continues to do a great job of providing the information that commuters want and need as they make daily travel decisions," said state Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "We've modernized the site and improved performance, but our goal is still the same – to keep Michigan's motorists safe, informed and mobile. We want to remind everyone to check their route before leaving because the safety of motorists, pedestrians, and workers is a top priority for all of us."

Motorists can access Mi Drive on their computers, laptops, smartphones, or other mobile devices by going to www.michigan.gov/drive. Shortcutting Mi Drive on a smartphone provides quick access to the site and eliminates the need for an app.

As always, MDOT encourages motorists to check Mi Drive before they leave for home or work. Safety is always a top priority as MDOT continues the Toward Zero Deaths statewide safety campaign.

DNR License and Season Reminders

Reserved waterfowl hunt applications are available now through Tuesday, Aug. 28. To apply for reserved hunts on certain managed waterfowl areas, visit a license agent or Michigan.gov/waterfowl. Applications are $5, and hunters may only apply once. Reserved hunts will be held both mornings and afternoons of the opening weekend (Oct. 13 and 14) of waterfowl hunting season at Fish Point State Wildlife Area, Harsens Island, and Shiawassee River State Game Area. Maximum party size is four hunters. For morning hunts and the second-day hunts, successful applicants must have appropriate licenses and stamps and be accompanied by one to three other appropriately licensed hunters. Youth have a special opportunity because the opening-day afternoon hunts are for those 16 and younger. Successful applicants for the opening-day afternoon hunts can have up to two adults who are 18 or older with appropriate licenses.

The antlerless deer license application period runs through Aug. 15. Some areas of the state have a limited number of antlerless deer license applications available, making applying for that deer management unit important for some. Private-land applications do require a landowner phone number. Private-land applications are not needed for chronic wasting disease (CWD) areas, such as DMU 033, 041, and 062. These licenses will be available without application beginning September 10 at 10 a.m. Young hunters, 16 and under, can buy antlerless deer licenses over the counter through August 15. Any leftover licenses that remain will go on sale September 10 at 10 a.m. For more information about antlerless deer hunting and to buy an application online, visit michigan.gov/deer.

With bird hunting season just around the corner, it's a great time to plan a fall hunting trip. Michigan has millions of acres of huntable public land, with excellent young forests that have made northern Michigan a destination for many. GEMS and Mi-HUNT are two DNR-developed programs to help build a public-land hunting itinerary. Nineteen GEMS (Grouse Enhanced Management Sites) in the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula will be available to explore this fall. GEMS are large blocks of land managed for young forests, with winding hunter walking trails that provide added comfort to those unfamiliar with an area or those with mobility challenges. Visit michigan.gov/gems for an interactive map, information about individual GEMS, custom maps and information about local businesses showing support by offering discounts. Mi-HUNT is another option for hunters who already know the general area they’d like to hunt but want specific stand and road information. Visit michigan.gov/mihunt to watch the tutorials that can help you use the mapping system to its full potential

Michigan’s grouse season runs Sept. 15 to Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 to Jan. 1. Woodcock, a migratory bird, have an abbreviated season, Sept. 22 to Nov. 5. To hunt grouse and woodcock in Michigan, hunters only need a base license. To target woodcock, a free woodcock stamp is required. Licenses and stamps may be purchased online at E-License or at one of the many license agents across the state.

Free ORV Weekend

Residents and out-of-state visitors are invited to ride DNR-designated routes and trails during Free ORV Weekend, taking place Aug. 18-19, 2018. During this weekend, riders will not need to possess an ORV license or trail permit.

Riders will have access to nearly 3,700 miles of off-road trails and the state’s five scramble areas (St. Helen’s Motorsport Area, Black Lake Scramble Area, Silver Lake State Park, Bull Gap and The Mounds).

Please keep in mind:

All other ORV rules and laws still apply, and the Recreation Passport is required where applicable (i.e. scramble areas).
Operators under age 16 must have a valid safety training certificate. Michigan will accept ORV or ATV education certifications that are issued by other states and provinces.
Operators and passengers must wear a U.S. Department of Transportation-approved crash helmet and protective eyewear.
Riders are encouraged to become familiar with the ORV Handbook of Michigan Off-Road Vehicle Laws; available online, at DNR Customer Service Centers or anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

Free ORV Weekends are a great opportunity to test Michigan's off-road trails yourself or introduce friends to the ORV trail system and consider purchasing an ORV license or trail permit for the season. Throughout the year, fees generated through ORV licenses and trail permits are reinvested back into the ORV system. These important dollars help fund trail expansion, maintenance and infrastructure improvements, such as bridge and culvert construction and repair, as well as law enforcement and the offsetting of damage created by illegal use.

47th Annual Montrose Blueberry Festival

Aug. 17-19 in Montrose, Michigan

Three fun-filled days for the whole family can be found the third weekend in August in Montrose on M-57 just 8 miles west of I-75. From the wildly delicious blueberry pancake breakfast to the flea market, arts and crafts, 5k or 8k road race, softball tournaments, carnival and midway plus much, much, more, there is something for everyone. The 47th Annual Blueberry Super Parade kicks off promptly at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18. For more information, please visit the festival website.

I hope you found this information useful. Please feel free to contact my office if we can be of any assistance.

Sincerely,

State Representative Pam Faris

48^th House District