Public Involvement &

Public Information for

Construction Projects

PRESENTERS:

• Greg Johnson, COO MDOT

• Michael Donahoe, Pres. Tri Star Industries & MDOT consultant

• Delora Hall Tyler, Pres. First Media Group

• Elnora Austell, Pres. E. Austell Assoc.

Public Involvement is --

• A process that provides for an open exchange of ideas between the public and transportation decision-makers

• Must be proactive, provide complete information, timely public notice, full public access to key decisions, and opportunities for early and continuing involvement

Is Public Involvement Really Necessary?

• Yes!!

• It is a federally-mandated process

• The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA)

• Transportation investment decisions have far-reaching impacts on communities – land use, social, economic, energy and environmental

• Many of these factors reflect community values and are not easily quantifiable

• Public input is essential in adequately considering them

What are the indicators of an effective public involvement process?

• Public feels well informed

• Multiple opportunities to contribute input to the decision-making processes

• Involvement opportunities at all stages of decision-making

Also Important:Public Information

• Construction-oriented

• Targets the impacted community and a wider public audience

• Dynamic process

What are the tools of public involvement and public information?

Media Relations Editorial Board

Meetings Maps and

Brochures Video Production

Strategic Planning Public Meetings

Public Hearings Advertising

Presentations Crisis Management

Special Events Writing

and Editing

Social Media

Context Sensitive Solutions Workshops

So, why have Public Information Consultants on your team?

• You are experts in design and

construction ... We are experts in

communications

• We serve as liaisons to MDOT, Project

Partners, Consultants and the Community

M-39 Reconstruction

• Allen Park• Dearborn• Dearborn Heights• Detroit• Southfield

Public Meeting Notices

Public Meeting Strategy

FOOD ANDBEVERAGE

SCREEN-MICROPHONE

Pedestrian Survey

Steering Committee

Community Preferences

Outreach Efforts

• Schools• Churches• Block Clubs• Community Groups• Condo Associations• Corporations• Local Businesses

CSS Workshops

MDOT I-75 Gateway Project

About the Gateway

• $230 million investment in Michigan’s infrastructure and in preserving Michigan jobs

• Investment in the economically vital international border crossing where $115 billion trade in goods and services flow annually

• Largest single construction contract ever undertaken by MDOT

• Designed to move traffic from the Ambassador Bridge directly to I-75/I-96 freeways

• Remove truck traffic from surface streets in Mexicantown.

Editorial Board Meetings

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2008Contact: Brenda V. Peek, Communications, MDOT Metro Region, 248-483-5109

Section of I-96 will close for 90 days as Gateway Project continues

June 17, 2008 -- For 90 days beginning Monday, July 14, 2008, through mid-October 2008, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will fully close a one-mile section of the I-96 freeway from Rosa Parks Boulevard to I-94 in southwest Detroit. The closure is a part of the continued work on the Ambassador Bridge Gateway Project. New alternate routes will be posted

Social Media

Bilingual Project Newsletter

Crisis CommunicationsChannel 4 News

Worker Dies In Gateway Construction Project POSTED: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 UPDATED: 8:53 am EDT September 11, 2008

DETROIT -- A construction worker died while working on a closed portion of the Gateway construction project in southwest Detroit Wednesday afternoon. Police said Gilbert Danz of Roseville, 29, was putting up a metal support for a bridge near northbound I-75 between Grand Boulevard and Vernor Street when a beam accidentally fell on his head. Officials said Danz leaves behind a wife and three children. The Michigan Department of Transportation said the victim worked for Ace Structural Steel Erection Inc. of Shelbyville. There were no road closures because the construction site is closed. MDOT Saturday opened a part of the Gateway Project from I-96 between Rosa Parks Boulevard and I-94, a month ahead of schedule. The project coincided with another construction project from February for Interstate 75 between Rosa Parks and Clark Street. The two construction projects were part of the $170 million Gateway Project to improve traffic flow in the southwestern Detroit area and consisted of reconstructing 1 ½ miles of I-75, one mile of I-96, 18 ramps and 24 bridges.

What we can do for your business

• Custom Logos• Corporate ID Packages• Graphic Design (Brochures, Newsletters,

etc.)• Website Design• Copy Writing and Editing• Event Planning• Media Relations• Advertising and Marketing Services • Social Media

Thank You for Attending!