MDOT service centers reorganized in U.P.

The closure of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Transportation Service Center (TSC) in Escanaba will result in changes to which Upper Peninsula counties are served by the remaining TSCs in Crystal Falls , Ishpeming and Newberry.

While the Escanaba TSC has closed, MDOT’s Superior Region office in Escanaba will remain open. The closure of the TSC is part of a department-wide consolidation announced in June that resulted in the closure of eight MDOT facilities statewide, and a 15-percent workforce reduction since 2009.

In total, MDOT is closing, consolidating or eliminating eight MDOT facilities, saving an estimated $300,000 per year in rent and utilities. The other seven facilities were in the Lower Peninsula. “These changes demonstrate MDOT’s commitment to working better, faster, cheaper, safer and smarter for Michigan ,” said Randy Van Portfliet, MDOT Superior Region Engineer and Bureau Director of Field Services. “We’ll continue striving to provide the highest level of service with the resources available.”

The Escanaba TSC had served Alger, Delta, Menominee and Schoolcraft counties. The Upper Peninsula counties have been assigned to the remaining three TSCs. The contact information for the TSCs is:

– Ishpeming TSC: Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, Marquette and Ontonagon counties, Andy Sikkema, Manager, 100 S. Westwood Drive, Ishpeming, 906-485-4270 or 888-920-6368 (toll-free)

– Crystal Falls TSC: Delta, Dickinson , Gogebic, Iron and Menominee counties, Mike Premo, Manager, 120 Tobin-Alpha Road, Crystal Falls, 906-875-6644 or 866-584-8100 (toll-free)

– Newberry TSC: Alger, Chip pewa, Luce, Mackinac and Schoolcraft counties, John Batchelder, Manager, 14113 M-28, Newberry, 906-293-5168 or 866-740-6368 (toll-free)

The Superior Region office in Escanaba will continue to provide operations, administrative, technical, and development support to TSCs. The contact information for the Superior Region office is:

– Superior Region office,

Randy Van Portfliet, Superior Region Engineer and Bureau Director of Field Services

Mark Maloney, Region Associate Engineer for Development (roadway design, pavement management, surveys, real estate, environmental review, and bridge inspections)

Jack Bedard, Region Associate Engineer for Operations (construction, maintenance, traffic and safety, and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)), 1818 Third Ave. North, Escanaba, 906-786-1800 or 888-414-6368 (toll-free)