Troy, Michigan - SB I-75 Mega Project

I-75 Mega Project through Troy, Michigan.
Music & Artist:
The Maccabees - Unknow
Date Recorded:
8/8/2020
Technical Stuff:
Camera: Sony HDR-CX260V
Tripod: Sunpak 6000PG
Car: 2012 GMC Sierra
Driver: Edward
Video editing software: Adobe Premiere Pro CC
Picture editing software: Photoshop CC

[@AsphaltPlanet1]

Very cool video. This is a project that I am really looking forward to seeing once it’s completed. I am a bit surprised to see that the concrete pavement has not been grooved longitudinally - I thought that was pretty standard in Michigan now.

[@EdwardW98]

Yes I'm just excited to see the first freeway HOV lane in Michigan! The mainline pavement is grooved longitudinally (longitudinal tining) besides concrete bridge decks - those are always tined transversely for drainage purposes - but you are right in a way. MDOT requires all new finished pavements to have a certain level of "rideability" so the new pavement is diamond grinded in rough spots for a smoother ride which just takes off most of the longitudinal tining and reduces pavement service life (I don't support diamond grinding at all, but rideability is important I guess). I'm surprised you were even able to make out the pavement texture as my older camera does not do the new pavement or the entire project any justice! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@AsphaltPlanet1]

The MTO has a similar smoothness rating for contractors to meet when a road is built or resurfaced. It’s actually becoming common to see asphalt pavement diamond ground in Ontario. I have never been bothered when concrete is diamond ground, but it seems weird to see it done with asphalt. I watched the video again and I noticed some of the tining at approaching a bridge. Neat video.

[@EdwardW98]

@@AsphaltPlanet1 Thanks! Yeah that's a first for me as well. Guess diamond grinding is the future for any new pavements. I wonder if diamond grinding asphalt ruins the smooth surface finish since asphalt doesn't have the grooves like concrete.

[@Pro1er]

@@EdwardW98 There's gonna be an HOV lane? What a waste of pavement!

[@Boogiest]

This is awesome! Its cool to see it on the OTHER side of the barrier!

[@EdwardW98]

Sounds like a movie haha. Yes I knew I had to film this when I got the opportunity! The road sure looks pretty cool/weird without any pavement markings or signs for that matter. Thanks for watching and commenting!!

[@v01dDX]

That is really cool!!

[@EdwardW98]

Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching!

[@v01dDX]

@@EdwardW98 your welcome

[@johnjordan4310]

My home Troy Mich i love Troy no crime

[@EdwardW98]

It sure is a nice place. I used to always love going to Somerset just to walk around!

[@flarenator]

me too

[@larryhall7998]

I remember riding my bicycle on the unfinished freeway in the sixty when they first built it! Where did the time go? Thanks for posting !

[@soui9521]

Edward W, please make a video of I-94 megaproject, you said you can't wait on your New I-275 - I-96 Fwy, and I want to see you drive there, please.

[@KylesDigitalLab]

Does anybody know where the MSHD plaques are on the new bridges? Someone told me the plaques from the 1960s are being retained. Which is a cool idea because even though all the bridges are being demolished, the people who worked hard to build the freeway originally in the 1960s deserve respect. Also the Toebe Company goes back a long time ago, they used to be called the Walter Toebe Company, and they actually built some of the bridges for the Detroit-Toledo Expressway (I-75 south of Detroit) in the 1950s and are mentioned on the MSHD plaques on those bridges. I believe they also worked on the Zilwaukee Bridge in Saginaw. (not the original 1960 drawbridge) Other contractors that worked for the MSHD in the 1950s and 1960s and did a lot of freeway construction include Raff & Dexter, Pierson Contracting Company, Johnson-Greene Company, Holloway Construction Company, Brown Brothers, and Gilliland Construction Company. I would not be suprised if at least one of these companies are listed on the original plaques for this segment of I-75.

[@EdwardW98]

The new plaques do exist, but unfortunately are not as classy as the old ones. The new "MSHD plaque replacements" seem to be very small, thin aluminum plates that just have the bridge structure number (i.e. S14-1), highway control section number, and the year the structure was built stamped onto it. I don't want to seem like I'm bashing on the new plaques, but they are truly not that great compared to the older styled plaques. To my knowledge, the old plaques are being kept by the engineer, old time inspectors, and various others who requested to keep the plaques during the demolition of the old bridges (so yes they're being very well taken care of)! The newer plaques are found on an indent on the traffic-facing side of the barrier wall instead of being on the steps/bridge back wall this time around. And thanks for the info about Toebe! I never knew the history behind their company aside from their recent and current construction projects.

[@KylesDigitalLab]

@@EdwardW98 Yeah I've seen the newer plaques. Quite boring. The old plaques are so much better. When the MSHD was changed to the MDSH (Department of State Highways) in the mid 1960s, the plaques started to get boring, they no longer list the contractor involved, the just the people in the department at the time, the bridge number and control section, the federal project number, and the date of construction. Correct me if I read your comment wrong, but I'm still wondering where the old plaques are. Are they not installed yet on the new bridges?

[@EdwardW98]

@@KylesDigitalLab Yeah so from what I've been told, the old plaques are not getting re-installed on the new bridges. The old plaques were removed during the demolition stage of the old bridges and were taken home by senior engineers, senior inspectors, and others who requested to keep the plaques for themselves.

[@KylesDigitalLab]

@@EdwardW98 Oh, that is sort of sad. Maybe they didn't want the plaques stolen? On the M-53 bridges over 24 and 25 Mile Road the plaques have been stolen. Also some bridges on I-94 north of Chesterfield have been victims of plaque theft. I did contact someone at MDOT about the plaques, and they said they were being retained. I guess when the project is completed we'll know for sure.

[@EdwardW98]

@@KylesDigitalLab Stolen plaques? Wow now that's pretty disrespectful to the bridge structure itself! I'm surely confident that no one is going to go out of their way to steal the new plaques though...

[@MarvinReinhardt-c9b]

Will have the CITY STATE of INDIA inside TROY. MICHIGAN will connect the CHINESE Consult to DETROIT

[@MarvinReinhardt-c9b]

I-75 had to RE built 3 TIMES for this COST MILLION of WASTE D TAX BUCKS