In exchange for using a portion of the Jack's parking lot, MDOT improved the area commuters had already been using, and provided signs designating it an official carpool lot.

"This was the first public-private partnership of this type in the Upper Peninsula," said Andy Sikkema, manager of MDOT's Ishpeming Transportation Service Center (TSC). "It was a perfect location for an official carpool lot, being right next to the US-41/M-28 intersection, and commuters already recognized its convenience."

The Alger County Transit Authority, ALTRAN, also uses this lot as a pick-up and drop-off location for local transit buses.

For up-to-date information on MDOT projects, go to the list of statewide lane closures at: www.michigan.gov/drive. Follow MDOT at www.twitter.com/MichiganDOT or visit the "Michigan Department of Transportation" page on Facebook and become a fan.

MDOT says: Remember - in Ice and Snow, Take it Slow!