On Monday, two weeks before Michigan residents are asked to vote on Proposition 1, TRIP – a national transportation research group that studies, evaluates and distributes information on surface transportation issues – released a report that said Michigan’s poor roads threaten to derail its economic recovery.
Proposition 1 calls for dropping the 6 percent sales tax on gasoline/diesel sales and replacing it with a new wholesale fuel tax system. It would also increase in the state sales tax from 6 to 7 percent on all other goods that are currently taxed. The package is expected to raise $1.2 billion in new road funding.
Simply put: Michigan’s roads need to be fixed.
“Your transportation system is tied very much to your economic system,” said Rocky Moretti, director of policy and research for TRIP, to the Detroit Free Press. “Michigan’s three largest economic sectors – manufacturing, agriculture and tourism – are highly reliant on an efficient and well-maintained transportation system.”
The national research group is funded by insurance companies, road builders and equipment manufacturers. The report stated that 38% of Michigan roads are now in poor condition, up from 23% in 2006. It also found that 45% were listed in fair condition and 17% were listed as good.
“Michigan drivers have a unique opportunity to address our deficient roads and bridges in a few weeks,” said Denise Donohue, director of the County Road Association of Michigan, to the Free Press. The County Road Association represents road commissions in all 83 counties in the state. “Proposal 1 will add $1.2 billion to road funding and it will be constitutionally dedicated to roads. The cost of the solution is less than the cost of the problem.”
At a Detroit Regional Chamber news conference, Metro Detroit officials reverberated the serious need to address the decrepit roads and bridges. The report estimates that Michigan motorists pay an average of $686 in increased operating costs, including vehicle repairs, because of the state’s poor roads. Donohue said 85% of Michigan families would pay less than that in increased taxes under Proposal 1.
“This is a business issue,” said Jason Puscas, director of government relations at the regional chamber that supports Prop 1. “Our recovery is threatened by increased deterioration of Michigan’s roads and bridges and the lack of needed transportation improvement to serve economic development.”
According to TRIP, if more funds are not allocated for the roads, pavements conditions across the state are expected to worsen. The report estimates that Michigan motorists pay an average of $686 in increased operating costs, including vehicle repairs, because of the state’s poor roads. Donohue articulated that 85% of Michigan families would pay less than that in increased taxes under Proposal 1.
“By 2025, the share of major roads in poor condition is projected to increase to 53 percent,” TRIP said in its report. “Keeping roads in good condition by performing minor maintenance is far more cost-effective than waiting until roads are in fair or poor condition when it becomes far more costly to make needed repairs.”
Zack Burgess is an award winning journalist. He is the Director/Owner of OFF WOODWARD MEDIA, LLC, where he works as a writer, editor and communications specialist. His work can be seen at zackburgess.com. Twitter: @zackburgess1
