Local manager to head MDOT Superior Region

ISHPEMING — The Michigan Department of Transportation’s Superior Region, which encompasses all of the Upper Peninsula, will have a new leader in the coming year, and he hails from right here in our backyard.

Aaron Johnson, manager of MDOT’s Ishpeming Transportation Service Center, was recently named as Superior Region engineer. As the region’s leader, Johnson will be responsible for a wide swath of Michigan’s state trunkline roads.

“This opportunity affords me the chance to do continue to do the things I’ve been doing on a more localized level for MDOT Upper Peninsula–wide and region–wide,” said Johnson. “We’ve got great people throughout the region, and I’m looking forward to working with our partners in traffic safety and law enforcement and local agencies throughout the region.”

In his first year, the Superior Region will see some major projects taking place. Two new roundabouts on US–41 to facilitate the new UP Health System – Marquette hospital in addition to a significant project on the Escanaba River bridge will be among the highlights of 2017.

Johnson will be transitioning into the new role over the next few weeks while working closely with his predecessor, Randy Van Portfliet, who is retiring at the end of the year after forty years with the department.