In 2003, Gov. Granholm issued an Executive Directive that requires MDOT to incorporate context sensitive solutions into transportation projects whenever possible. Under CSS, MDOT solicits dialogue with local governments, road commissions, industry groups, land use advocates, and state agencies early in a project's planning phase. This dialogue helps to ensure that bridges, interchanges, bikepaths and other transportation projects "fit" into their communities.  The CSS approach results in projects that respect a community's scenic, aesthetic, historic, economic, and environmental character.

Leading by example, MDOT has completed a number of projects  that meet planning and engineering objectives while satisfying needs identified by the communities involved.