‘A heavy lift’: Implementation of Michigan’s work zone speed cameras delayed
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LANSING, Mich. — While it may not seem like it, the weather is warming up, and that means construction season is officially open.
Safety is top of mind for the workers on Michigan roads, but a promised piece of tech meant to incentivize safe driving isn’t in their arsenal.
Work zone speed enforcement cameras were approved by lawmakers in 2024, but the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) reports getting the program off the ground is a “heavy lift.”
Clarification was sought from MDOT, with three questions:
What is the heavy lift, is it a manpower or funding issue?
“The biggest lift is implementing the program,” MDOT Deputy Director for Public Affairs Jocelyn Garza said. “The legislation requires that MDOT administer the work zone safety camera program ourselves, but we are not an enforcement agency. We’re working through the process to bring a vendor on board the program. Because this is an unchartered territory for our department, we want to make sure the process works as it’s intended, and more than anything, helps to adjust driving behavior in and around our work zones, to make sure road workers and the motorists traveling through our work zones, are safe. ”
What has the implementation process looked like so far for MDOT?
“Working to identify the needs for the program, and what a vendor or consultant would be taking on to ensure it operates smoothly, including the seamless issuance of warnings and citations,” Garza said.
Is spring 2027 a realistic target for implementation?
“Spring 2027 is a very realistic target for implementation,” Garza said.
Garza added MDOT is committed to seeing the effort through.
The Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA), which represents construction companies, pushed for the cameras.
“We have seen in Michigan over the past five to 10 years a significant increase in fatalities in our work zones,” Lance Binoniemi, Vice President of Government Affairs for MITA, said.
While the cameras will eventually fund themselves, there is a set-up cost.
“It’s been a little bit more difficult than I think the department had anticipated,” Binoniemi said. “Then there was some funding that had been in and then maybe potentially out.”
In late 2025, the Republican-controlled State House cut $644 million from the budget. Included in that total was $2,940,000 to implement the cameras.
“I think MDOT is looking for a funding source so they can fully implement the program,” Binoniemi said.
Rep. Donni Steele (R-Orion) sits on the House Appropriations Committee, and says MDOT has yet to make requests to fund the cameras. She, however, voted against them.
“The money needs to go into the infrastructure because that has neglected for many years,” Steele said. “It’s not just roads. I mean, it’s railroads, it is ports, it’s sea walls, it’s trains, rails, all of it. We need to put the the money into the the infrastructure, not into more regulations.”
The cameras aren’t a priority for the committee, according to Steele.
She notes that laws are already stiff for work zone violations, and would instead like greater police enforcement.
“The cameras aren’t going to necessarily fix the overall arching problem,” Steele said. “If MDOT wants them, then they should fund them out of their budget, find room in their budget.”
Michigan’s law was modeled after Maryland’s effort.
Their State Highway Administration reports that, in just the first year since implementation, speeding citations dropped from 443,339 in 2024 to 367,266 in 2025.
They credit the cameras and fines.
In the meantime, while welcoming the start of construction season Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined MDOT in reminding drivers to be careful.
“These are dangerous jobs,” Whitmer said. “So, drivers, when you hit the road this spring and summer, we ask that you slow down and pay attention. There’s Michiganders at work here.”
