A Curmudgeon's Notebook — Thoughts on values, education, engineering, politics, civility, . . . . . . . by Don Nordeen

Index, Posts on I–75 Crossings, Gaylord

2007 July 06
Ongoing edits to include new posts.  Please see date in the bullet list. 

    Below is a listing of posts on I–75 Crossings in or near Gaylord, Otsego County, Michigan, listed in reverse chronological order.  Each title links to the full post.  The URL for each post is also shown.

Memo:  Following this listing are introductions to the posts listed below.  Or Click on Introductions to Posts to go to that location.

===== Major Posts =====

• 2007 Aug 09 (updated from 2007 Mar 26) — Cost-Benefit Comparison, I–75 Crossings at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/03/costbenefit_com.html>
• 2007 Nov 10 — Analysis of the Preferred and M–32 Alternatives at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/11/analysis-of-the.html> 

===== Other Posts =====

• 2008 Jan 16 — Email to Senator Levin Re Federal Earmark for Highway Project in Gaylord at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2008/01/email-to-senato.html>.
• 2008 Jan 08 — Letter to MDOT Director Re Proposed New I–75 Crossing in Gaylord at  <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2008/01/letter-to-mdot.html>. 
• 2007 Dec 08 — Notes — I-75 East-West Crossing Study Report at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/12/notes-i-75-east.html>
• 2007 Dec 03 — Archive — Analysis of the Preferred and M–32 Alternatives at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/12/archive-analysi.html>
• 2007 Nov 10 — Analysis of the Preferred and M–32 Alternatives at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/11/analysis-of-the.html>
• 2007 Nov 05 — FOIA Request to Otsego County Road Commission at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/11/foia-request-to.html>
• 2007 Oct 30 — Roundabouts Provide More and Cost Less at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/10/roundabout-prov.html>
• 2007 Oct 05 — New I–75 Crossing in Gaylord (to MDOT) at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/10/new-i75-crossin.html>.
• 2007 July 24 — FHWA Reply, New I–75 Crossing in Gaylord at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/07/reply-new-i75-c.html>.
• 2007 Jul 17 — New I–75 Crossing in Gaylord (to FHWA) at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/07/new-i75-crossin.html>.
• 2007 Jul 03 — Why won't new I–75 crossings relieve the congestion along M–32 near I–75? at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/07/why-wont-new-i7.html>. 
• 2007 Jun 30 — I-75 crossings environmental review concluded Friday at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/06/i-75-crossings-.html>. 
• 2007 Jun 29 — Questions, I–75 Crossing at McCoy and Milbocker Roads at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/06/questions-i75-c.html>. 
• 2007 Jun 27 — I-75 crossing to nowhere at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/06/i-75-crossing-t.html>. 
• 2007 Apr 09 — I–75 Crossings - Comparison of Benefits and Costs at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/04/i75-crossings--.html>. 
• 2007 Mar 26 (updated 2007 Aug 09) — Cost-Benefit Comparison, I–75 Crossings at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/03/costbenefit_com.html>. 
• 2007 Mar 21 — History, I–75 Crossing Project at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/03/history-i75-cro.html>. 
• 2007 Mar 20 — Improvements are Needed at M–32 & I–75 at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/03/improvements-ar.html>. 
• 2007 Mar 19 — More on Resolution re I–75 Crossings at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/03/more_on_resolut.html>. 
• 2007 Mar 06 — Interview with Traverse City Record Eagle re I–75 Crossings at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/03/interview_with_.html>. 
• 2007 Mar 04 — Senator Levin — I–75 Crossing at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/03/senator_levin_i.html>. 
• 2007 Feb 27 — Resolution on I-75 Crossings at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/02/resolution_on_i.html>. 
• 2007 Feb 17 — I–75 Crossing to Nowhere at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/02/i75_crossing_to.html>. 
• 2007 Feb 12 — I–75 Crossovers and Alternatives at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/02/i75_crossovers_.html>. 
• 2007 Jan 16 — Reply: I-75 Crossing Proposal at McCoy-Milbocker Roads at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/01/reply_i75_cross.html>. 
• 2007 Jan 09 — I-75 Crossing Proposal at McCoy-Milbocker Roads - Part II at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/01/i75_crossing_pr_1.html>. 
• 2007 Jan 08 — I-75 Crossing Proposal at McCoy-Milbocker Roads at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2007/01/i75_crossing_pr.html>. 
• 2006 Jul 26 — Does Otsego County have an $18-million traffic problem? at <http://swagman.typepad.com/curmudgeon/2006/07/does_otsego_cou.html>

A listing of Introductions to Posts should follow below.  If not, please click HERE.

   
Don Nordeen
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Index, Posts on I–75 Crossings, Gaylord

2008 December 31

    The post, Index, Posts on I–75 Crossings, Gaylord, has moved.

Email to Senator Levin Re Federal Earmark for Highway Project in Gaylord

2008 January 16

    The continuation of this post is an email to Senator Carl Levin recommending that he request an independent review of the proposed new I–75 crossing in Gaylord to include consideration of the alternative of improvements along M–32 at and near Exit 282 with I–75. 

Don Nordeen
===========

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Letter to MDOT Director Re Proposed New I–75 Crossing in Gaylord

2008 January 08

    The continuation of this post is a letter to Mr. Kirk Steudle, MDOT's Transportation Director, requesting an independent review of the proposed new I–75 crossing in Gaylord vs. the lower-cost alternative of improvements along M–32 at and near I–75.  The various references and other information available on the internet are provided with appropriate internet links. 

    A PDF file of the letter can be downloaded at Letter to MDOT Director Re Proposed New I–75 Crossing in Gaylord.pdf.  This PDF file can be printed to produce a copy of the letter as sent to Mr. Stuedle. 

   
Don Nordeen
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Index, Posts on I–75 Crossings, Gaylord

2007 December 31

    The post, Index, Posts on I–75 Crossings, Gaylord, has moved. 

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Notes — I-75 East-West Crossing Study Report

2007 December 08

    The major reference concerning analysis of road systems and traffic in Otsego County is “I–75 Gaylord East-West Crossing Study Report” prepared by DLZ Michigan, Inc. and Midwestern Consulting, LLC dated 2004 July.  Available from Northeast Michigan Council of Governments (NEMCOG) at <http://www.nemcog.org/pdfs/I-75%20Crossover%20Study/Final%20Report.pdf>.  Or just do an internet search with the report title in quotation marks.

    The continuation of this post contains notes that may help in interpreting the information in the report.  This post will be updated as required as new issues surface about the content and application of the information in the report. 

Don Nordeen
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Archive — Analysis of the Preferred and M–32 Alternatives

2007 December 03

    This post creates an archive of the 2007 Nov 10 post, Analysis of the Preferred and M–32 Alternatives, dated 2007 Nov 10 and revised 2007 Dec 03.  Please read the memo at the continuation of this post for the reasons.  The 2007 Nov 10 post will be updated to eliminate the conjecture in the analysis. 

Don Nordeen
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2007 November 10
Revised 2007 Dec 03 (revised to flag that the recommendations and priorities in the 2004
             Crossing Study Report may be conjecture by the Technical Steering Committee)

    The continuation of this post is a comprehensive analysis of proposed new I–75 crossing connecting McCoy and Milbocker Roads and its principal alternative (improvements along M–32 at and near Exit 282 with I–75).  The entire paper is posted with all of the internet links for easy access to the many references which support the analysis.  The comparison is examined in four different ways based on the only traffic study report available, “I–75 Gaylord East-West Crossing Study Report” prepared by DLZ Michigan, Inc. and Midwestern Consulting, LLC dated 2004 July.  All four show that only Improvements along M–32 would relieve the traffic congestion there for about $4,000,000 and the proposed new I–75 crossing does not, even though its cost is $13,000,000. 

    The post includes a Table of Contents and other features to make the analysis more user friendly.  Specifically, it provides a statement-by-statement comparison of of claimed benefits in the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed new I–75 crossing against the conclusions, results, recommendations and other findings in the Crossing Study Report (2004 CSR).  The claimed benefits are grossly inconsistent with the 2004 CSR, by this analysis.  Similarly, a statement-by-statement comparison is made for the reasons stated in the EA for rejecting the Improvements Along M–32 against the 2004 CSR. Again, the statements in the EA are grossly inconsistent with the 2004 CSR.   

    A PDF File of the Analysis is also available for download clicking Archive — Analysis of the Preferred and M–32 Alternatives.pdf.  A correctly-formatted paper copy can be printed from the PDF file. If the PDF file is viewed in an internet browser or separately in an PDF reader, some or all of the internet links may not be functional. 

    Please provide an email (left column near the top) if you find any of the internet links to be inoperative or incorrect.  Please provide your comments in the Comment section or by email. Thanks. 
   

Don Nordeen
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Analysis of the Preferred and M–32 Alternatives

2007 November 10
Revised 2007 Dec 03 (revised to flag that the recommendations and priorities in the 2004
                                  Crossing Study Report may be conjecture by the Technical Steering
                                  Committee)
Revised 2007 Dec 11 (Major revision to identify but not consider the conjecture by the Technical
                                  Steering Committee)

    This post is being revised to address the conjecture in the 2004 Crossing Study Report.  Please refer to Archive — Analysis of the Preferred and M–32 Alternatives for the original analysis with revisions to note the conjecture. 

    The continuation of this post is a comprehensive analysis of proposed new I–75 crossing connecting McCoy and Milbocker Roads and its principal alternative (improvements along M–32 at and near Exit 282 with I–75).  The entire paper is posted with all of the internet links for easy access to the many references which support the analysis.  The comparison is examined in four different ways based on the only traffic study report available, “I–75 Gaylord East-West Crossing Study Report” prepared by DLZ Michigan, Inc. and Midwestern Consulting, LLC dated 2004 July.  All four show that only Improvements along M–32 would relieve the traffic congestion there for about $4,000,000 and the proposed new I–75 crossing does not, even though its cost is $13,000,000. 

    The post includes a Table of Contents and other features to make the analysis more user friendly.  Specifically, it provides a statement-by-statement comparison of of claimed benefits in the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed new I–75 crossing against the conclusions, results, and other findings in the Crossing Study Report (2004 CSR).  The claimed benefits are grossly inconsistent with the 2004 CSR, by this analysis.  Similarly, a statement-by-statement comparison is made for the reasons stated in the EA for rejecting the Improvements Along M–32 against the 2004 CSR.  Again, the statements in the EA are grossly inconsistent with the 2004 CSR.   

    A PDF File of the Analysis is also available for download by clicking Analysis of the Preferred and M–32 Alternatives.pdf.  A correctly-formatted paper copy can be printed from the PDF file. If the PDF file is viewed in an internet browser or separately in an PDF reader, some or all of the internet links may not be functional.

    Please provide an email (left column near the top) if you find any of the internet links to be inoperative or incorrect.  Please provide your comments in the Comment section or by email. Thanks. 
   

Don Nordeen
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FOIA Request to Otsego County Road Commission

2007 November 05

    The continuation of this post is a letter to the FOIA Coordinator, Otsego County Road Commission (OCRC), requesting public records concerning, road system planning, roundabouts, the federal earmark project, specific projects, and other information.  The letter is a one-page letter followed by a twelve-page appendix which describes the specific requests.  Use your browser's search command to locate subjects of interest in the FOIA request.  This weblog software does not maintain the formatting in the original letter but the text is as written in the letter. 

    The letter can be downloaded as a PDF file at FOIA Request to OCRC 71105.pdf. 

Don Nordeen
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Roundabouts Provide More at Less Cost

2007 October 30

    The continuation of this post is a letter to the Otsego County Road Commissioners sent by email to the Manager of the Otsego County Road Commission.  The introduction to the manager, Mike Roper, states:

       From:  Don Nordeen
        Date:  2007 October 30   10:02:04 EST
           To:  Mike Roper
           Cc:  Harold Chase (Senator Levin's office in Traverse
                  City), Dave Wresinski (MDOT Lansing), Dave
                  Langhorst (MDOT Gaylord), Wes Butch (DLZ), Tom
                  Kellogg (DLZ), Jack Thompson (University Center),
                  Chris Grosser (Herald Times), James E. Martinez
                  (Herald Times)
    Subject:  Roundabouts Provide More at Less Cost

Hi Mike,

    Please print copies for the road commissioners including copies of the internet pages for which links have been provided.  Perhaps a meeting of the Road Commissioners could be arranged at the University Center to use the internet projection capability for a good discussion of relevant information on the internet.  Invite the public with a notice in the Herald Times.  Thanks. 

Don Nordeen
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