American Car & Trucks ..Year 2011 winners....Driving...new Rules & Repairs on old Roads

A panel of 49 folks from  the USA & Canada have made their choices for the " North American Car & Truck of the year:
  2011"...

Hoo-ray = let's hear it for Detroit Auto Makers & their new products -- Actual products
...the 49'ers have chosen as:
    Car of the Year 2011 = Chevy Volt
    Truck of the Year =  Ford Explorer

While Motor Trend's choices are:
...these choices are:
   Car of the Year 2011 = Chevy Volt;
   Truck of the Year 2011 = Chevy Silverado 1500 HD 

This is great news & bodes well for our domestic automotive companies.

The excitement for domestic Automotive products is good to see;
and many are itching to get into a new vehicle, and out on the roadways.

Speaking of the "drive" to Drive:
--this year 2011, our Teen drivers here in Michigan will be held to new rules for their driving;
...certainly, many teens will find them "so unfair', and will be further saddened by the fact that older drivers like this;
...this is for Teen drivers--all 16 yr old & some 17 yr old;
...other than driving to & from work, these rules fall under the song title --"There';; be some changes made...";
...Curfew hours are from 10:00p.m. TO 5:..a.m. [previously it was 12 Midnight];
...only one other passenger under the age of 20 may be in their car, BUT
    EXECPTIONS are: UNLESS accompanied by a Parent or Guardian;
                             OR an Adult 21 or older APPROVED by the parent;
According to the Editorial in Mon. Jan 10,2011.."But we know,...that two or more teens in a car are
     more of a hazard to themselves and to others than just one." 
see: www.macombdaily.com /Opinion Page /
     Monday, Jan10.2011 / Editorial " Teen drivers must obey new rules on curfew, passengers".

Still on driving,

Repairs are to start Sat. Jan 15, 2011  on Gratiot Avenue in Mt. Clemens.  MDOC is beginning the repair work of the two phases on Gratiot bridge that spans the Clinton River.  This is just North of Wellington Crescent. 
According to the article--see: www.macombdaily.com / Mon. Jan 10,2011 / Section  / pg 1 A & 8 A /
author Frank DeFrank / article   "Gratiot bridge repairs set to start Saturday".

 For the next three months, this phase impacts North-bound Gratiot [M-3] drivers detouring them onto South-bound Gratiot, thus  South-bound Gratiot will become  two-way traffic lanes for the duration.
Slated to be completed by late April or early May,.
Once the North-bound span is rebuilt, all traffic will move to the New North-bound side in order to rebuild the South-bound bridge. 
This total project has an October 2011 completion date.
A new bike path will be built simultaneously.
a $8.6 M. grant will be used.
Drivers on Gratiot North & South bound--south of the City of Mr. Clemens will experience this for at least 10 months.

Take care out there folks--this will all be worth it when completed.

[ It's possible to use Groesbeck, or Moravian-plus  a road E & W bound to travel to your destination--this will add time and distance to your trip--you decide which is best--drive through the slower detours or the longer distances.]