After nearly a hundred years of use, the pavement along US-41 in Houghton, MI, deteriorated. Not only did the road pavement need replacing, but roadway lane configurations also required updating to better serve modern road users. This $9.6 million roadway project – overseen by the Michigan Department of Transportation – involved reducing excess lanes to improve pedestrian safety, adding turn lanes to reduce crashes, and enhancing traffic flow. The result is a safer, more efficient corridor connecting Michigan Technological University to Houghton’s historic downtown. Roadway users benefit from calmer traffic flow and increased safety due to the new lane configurations. Pedestrians also experience greater safety, crossing only one lane at a time, with improved crosswalks and wide refuge areas.
America's Transportation Awards 