Bulletins

Engineering

MDOT Changes Payment Schedule

In order to remain compliant with federal law, MDOT will change its’ payment schedule to contractors.  Per Title 31 of the United States Code, MDOT must pay its’ vendors (contractors and consultants) at the same time it receives federal reimbursement. The old MDOT payment schedule was established when the payment
Engineering

MDOT Extended Transportation Permit – Nighttime Movements

As a result of MDOT’s recent mobility policy, there has been more night work.  This promotes mobility for the motoring public during the daytime but presents a new set of problems for the movement of construction equipment during the nighttime.  A major obstacle for nighttime movement lies with the stated
Legislative

Tumultuous Week in Lansing, Washington Provide Budget Uncertainty for Infrastructure

With the close of the fiscal year looming on Wednesday, the U.S. Congress and the Michigan Legislature were scurrying to complete their work on the fiscal year 2010 budgets. After much political wrangling, the legislature passed a transportation budget (SB 254) that had been bogged down in disputes over whether
Legislative

Construction Project Shutdown Averted: State Transportation Budget Agreement Reached

Fifteen hours before construction projects would be idled, policymakers came to an agreement on the state’s transportation budget in the face of tonight’s midnight end of the fiscal year. A MITA press release last week announced a possible government shutdown and estimated that it would cost state taxpayers $1 million.  
Legislative

MITA Companies Applauded for Initiating ‘Legislator Call Days’ First Funding Bill Introduced

Several MITA companies have already taken up the industry challenge of 1,000 calls to legislator offices and signed up for legislator call days for their employees.  AIS Construction Equipment, Michigan CAT, JDE Equipment Company, Wolverine Tractor and Equipment and now AJAX Paving Industries have either already made employee calls or
Legislative

1000 “Fix Our Roads” Calls to be Made to Legislative Offices

Legislators are coming back to the state capitol after taking a summer recess and with your company’s help, the message will be clear:  It’s time to fix our roads. MITA has made it a goal that legislator offices will receive over 1,000 calls from the toll-free number by the end
Labor

Table Agreement Reached with Laborers’ For Underground Construction

TABLE AGREEMENT REACHED WITH LABORERS’ FOR UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION     A Table Agreement has been reached with the Laborers’ District Council for Underground Construction. Please see as follows: Housekeeping throughout:  MITA name change, removal of Metro Annuity Plan, and other grammar. Article III – Working Rules, Section 2, Page 5. 
Labor

2009 Underground Operating Engineers Wage Rates

In accordance with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association Underground Agreement and The International Union of Operating Engineers’ Local 324, 324-A, and 324-B, AFL-CIO, please be advised that effective the first full payroll period on or after September 1, 2009, the wage allocation is as
Legislative

Good News for the Underground Industry: New Community Grants Available

This week, the U.S. Agriculture Secretary announced the selection of six rural water projects for Michigan being funded immediately through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The projects will help provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment systems for rural towns and communities across the country. USDA Rural Development’s
Legislative

A Long-Term Federal Transportation Bill Has All But Vanished in Washington D.C.

Hope for the enactment of a long term transportation bill this year has all but vanished when Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, testifying at a hearing of a House Ways and Means Subcommittee on July 23, acknowledged that he does not favor raising
Legislative

MITA Member Companies Encouraged to Use Paycheck Stuffer

While state policymakers sit on their hands and take the summer off and do nothing to address the needs of Michigan, the state’s roads and bridges continue to crumble around them. MITA recently established a toll free number (1-888-719-3087) so that people who care about our infrastructure can be transferred
Engineering

MDOT Implements DBE Solicitation GFE Pilot Process

Four projects in the July 10th Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) letting will be included in a new DBE Solicitation Good Faith Effort Pilot Process jointly developed by MDOT and MITA, and recently approved for implementation by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The primary intent of this pilot process is