Rochester 'Main Street Makeover' Recognized for Innovation

The Michigan Department of Transportation announced Monday that the "Main Street Makeover" in Rochester received top honors in the "Best Use of Innovation (small project)" category at the 2013 mid-America regional America's Transportation Awards competition.

The award was presented last Wednesday to project manager Lori Swanson, representing MDOT's Oakland Transportation Service Center, according to an MDOT news release.

The award "celebrates excellence in innovative management techniques and recognizes new procedures and creative transportation solutions that enhance the effective movement of people, goods, and services; increase transportation efficiency; improve safety and accessibility; and enhance community life."

The Main Street Makeover was a $7.6 million investment to rebuild M-150 (Rochester Road) between 2nd Street and University Drive in downtown Rochester.

It involved two years of planning and partnering with civic leaders and area business owners prior to construction. The work was completed during summer 2012.

According to the release, the project was a success in improving the Main Street economy and occupancy rates actually improved during construction and reportedly continue to get stronger.

"MDOT is very proud of the outstanding partnership that Project Manager Lori Swanson and the whole Oakland TSC forged with the city of Rochester, its Downtown Development Authority and business community," Metro Region Engineer Tony Kratofil said in the release. "It's exciting to see excellent work recognized at the national level."

Now in its sixth year, the America's Transportation Awards competition, sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the American Automobile Association (AAA), and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, recognizes the best transportation projects in the country in three main categories.