Advocacy News – April 14, 2022
The Michigan Chamber today participated in a virtual news conference unveiling the latest results of a new assessment of Michigan’s roads and bridges under potential scenarios of available transportation funding. The result: ballooning costs and challenges ahead unless further action is taken.
TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit, authored the report, “Where Are We Going?: Michigan’s Current & Future Pavement and Bridge Conditions, Safety, and Congestion and Reliability Levels and the Impact on Michigan Households, Based on Investment Levels over the Next Decade.”
Based on three funding scenarios, the report projected conditions and performance of Michigan’s transportation system over the next 10 years, the cost to residents and impact on the state’s economic competitiveness.
More than two-thirds of Michigan’s major roads and highways are rated as either in poor or fair condition and that number is slated to jump to 69% by 2031.
The Chamber’s VP of Business Advocacy and Member Engagement, Wendy Block, joined TRIP, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor and the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA) as each talked about Michigan’s roads, highways and bridges and the significant impact they can have on the quality of life and the state’s future economic growth.
Block noted that Michigan policymakers have made critical investments in recent years, but also that it’s clear this problem is not yet solved and that our businesses, communities, families, and economy can’t afford further deterioration of roads and bridges:
“Modern, reliable infrastructure is a fundamental building block of a strong economy and Michigan’s competitiveness. It enables commerce and trade, moves business forward, connects employers, workers and consumers together, and creates countless opportunities for our communities and families. While Michigan has made notable, important strides, it’s imperative that we continue to look for bipartisan, long-term solutions to ensure we are making forward progress.”
For a copy of the full report, click here.
To watch the announcement and the Michigan Chamber’s complete comments, visit here.