Be aware of fake MDOT texts demanding toll or traffic ticket payments. MDOT does not operate any toll roads. Contact the Michigan Attorney General for information on how to identify scams and file a complaint.
Trunkline refers to Michigan’s nearly 10,000-mile state highway system, comprised of all I, M and US-routes.
Cultural resources include any remains or evidence of past human activity that are at least 50 years old (such as artifacts, sites, buildings, structures or landscapes) that hold scientific, traditional, religious or cultural value to a community. Maintaining and expanding infrastructure, especially transportation systems, is important for growth and development, but these projects can sometimes affect cultural resources in the area. Because of this, federal regulations require that a balance be found between supporting progress and protecting these resources.
MDOT’s Trunkline Cultural Resources Team consists of qualified professional archaeologists, historians and architectural historians who ensure that MDOT complies with federal and state historic preservation laws and manages cultural resources so that trunkline transportation projects may proceed efficiently and on time. This is accomplished by conducting archival research, environmental and archaeological site modeling, sensitivity and risk analysis, cultural resource surveys in the field, writing reports and legal documents, requesting and managing consultant survey work, communicating with stakeholders and the public, and interpreting cultural resources laws.
The National Historic Preservation Act is the nation’s primary historic preservation law. MDOT has a programmatic agreement in place to streamline the review process by allowing qualified MDOT cultural resources staff to perform much of the work required under what is commonly called the Section 106 portion of the National Historic Preservation Act.
Michigan Section 106 Programmatic AgreementMDOT must comply with all federal historic preservation laws when planning and carrying out federally funded transportation projects. These laws include the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966, and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act. For local agency cultural resource information, visit MDOT's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) webpage.
MDOT's trunkline cultural resources team works closely with the Federal Highway Administration, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and Native American Nations to identify archaeological sites and historic buildings or structures that could be affected by transportation projects. When resources are identified, they are evaluated (in consultation with SHPO and Tribal Nations) to determine whether they qualify for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
For each project, MDOT trunkline cultural resources staff collaborate with project managers and designers to avoid or reduce impacts on important cultural resources whenever possible. If an identified cultural resource cannot be avoided or preserved, MDOT works with FHWA, SHPO, Native American Nations and other consulting parties to develop mitigation measures that help address or offset its loss or damage.
