Budget constraints delay Washtenaw County road projects
State budget constraints are delaying several Washtenaw County road and construction projects.
The Michigan Department of Transportation’s proposed 2010-2014 Five-Year Transportation Program lists 243 statewide road projects. They were scheduled to be completed within the next five years, but will now be postponed indefinitely.
“Without additional revenue sources coming into the state, motorists are going to see a decline in the system conditions, due to the lack of projects that we’ll be able to do,” MDOT spokeswoman Kari Arend said. “We’re just trying to get the word out and let the public know that this is coming up.”
Delayed Washtenaw County bridge projects include:
- Repairing the overlay in two sections of US-23 (at Willis Road and Bemis Road).
- Replacing the deck on M-52 over Raisin River.Â
Delayed road projects include:
- Resurfacing portions of I-94 and M-14.
- Reconstructing parts of M-52 and US-12.
Several road and construction projects are on hold due to lack of state funding.
File photo
“Many of (the projects) have already been delayed several years, so the fact that they’re not going to be done now makes an already bad problem worse,” said Terri Blackmore, the executive director of the Washtenaw Area Transportation Study. “The roads will continue to get worse, and (people) will continue to have more funding issues as they have to pay to fix their cars.”
Washtenaw County Road Commission Managing Director Steve Puuri said most of the state’s transportation revenue comes from gas taxes and vehicle registration fees. But with more people conserving gas and not buying new cars, he said that leaves less money available for the state’s transportation fund.
Furthermore, MDOT says declining revenues make it unlikely that Michigan can match the funding necessary to receive federal transportation money after 2010.
In 2011, MDOT is predicting a loss of $475 million in federal dollars if the state can't come up with its $84 million contribution.
“We lose that amount of money, so our money is not going to come back to Michigan, our money is going to go to other states,” Arend said.
Currently, MDOT lists 90 percent of state roads in “good” condition. Ten-year projections, however, predict less than 30 percent of roads will be in “good” condition if revenues continue to drop by 2020.
Blackmore said the problem is tied to the legislation.
“Funding has not been raised since 1997, and costs have gone up considerably since then,” she said. “Nobody likes a tax, but nobody likes the condition that the roads are in. It’s really a user fee.”
MDOT is accepting public comment on its plan until Friday, Dec. 11, but says not much else can be done without more revenue. Comments should be e-mailed to MDOT-Five-Year-Program@michigan.gov. The draft 2010-2014 Five-Year Transportation Program is available on the MDOT Web site at: www.michigan.gov/mdot5yearplan.
Comments
Gary Lillie
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 9:42 a.m.
annarbor28 - the money cannot be used on I-94 and M-14 because those are State of Michigan roads and are maintained by the State. I agree - where did the stimulus money go? To shore up the stock market so it looks like the policies of this administration are working.
Gary Lillie
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 9:38 a.m.
Does anyone remember the Scio Township Board turning down a Costco at the I-94 & Zeeb Rd exit? It would not have created heavy traffic as the objectors claimed because it was right at the off-ramp. Costco was going to lease the land from the County Road Commission for $750,000 per year. That was three years ago. Sure could have used that money.
Stop & Think
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 8:03 a.m.
Way to go annabor28~! Totally agree with you. Let us see the legislature cut their pay by 5% like everyone else is having to do. part time govt also. this is not a blank check anymore people are homeless and hungry!!
Eric64
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 12:21 a.m.
STONE CUTTER YOUR SUCH AN IDIOT.
stonecutter1
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 12:16 a.m.
Eric, you're loaded, spend some!
scott.m
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 10:23 p.m.
Oh come on. Easy to say that we need higher taxes, until we actually have to pay them. Once the state gov hears this kind of talk, they'll go wild and tax everything possible. Just last week the House approved a new tax increase on our cell phone usage. As if this isn't a great way to slow down commerce. The Senate's supposed to vote on the bill tomorrow, and if it passes, then look out for the higher monthly charge!
a2huron
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 8:21 p.m.
How about poor spending also delaying projects?
cinnabar7071
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 7:56 p.m.
Other peoples money.
stonecutter1
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 7:40 p.m.
Hey Eric donate the needed money!
Eric64
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 7:31 p.m.
Gee what a Shock.
stonecutter1
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 7:30 p.m.
All these "tax more" people need to put up or shut up! Donate to the causes you deem necessary! I for one agree with AA28. We need another roundabout like we need a hole in the head! Improve the existing roads. With all the "population decrease" traffic flow should be the least of our concerns. Stop telling other people what they should pay more for. You want it? Pay for it!
annarbor28
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 7:21 p.m.
I really don't think we in Michigan can be taxed any more, and be expected to stay here. What needs to be done is to redo the local and state budgets and cut anything possible, starting with the governor's personal expenditures. Tax universities for the use of non-classroom facilities, such as research facilities. Keep police and fireworkers intact. Cut out all new government construction, and certainly don't buy any more foreign artwork. (Probably not a huge expenditure anywhere but A2 but I bet that some local artists would sell at a low price for the publicity, or have rotating art shows.) Cut entitlements by 10% across the board. Look at the school budgets of Detroit, Flint and Saginaw and demand accountability for every penny by directly paying certified vendors. I am sure there are other ways to decrease the local and state expenditures. But don't squeeze taxpayers any more. We are ready to move out of here.
aareader
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 6:59 p.m.
This article reinforces the need for more taxes (safe user fee) across most areas of our state government. As noted there are needs in transportation, education, helping the needy etc. All are noble things that government ( we the people) need to address. We have been "cutting expenditures" for 10 years. There is no free lunch and it is time to put together a responsible tax package to pay for these needs or "we the people of MIchigan" may be facing our own statewide financial collapse.
annarbor28
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 6:47 p.m.
And what happened to Obama's stimulus money for roads? Can't it be released unmatched? Or will it just go to banks? I seriously thought he promised us all better roads, a better education, more jobs and a chicken (or some tofu) in every pot?
annarbor28
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 6:44 p.m.
How about the Geddes roundabout money going to resurfacing I-94 and M-14? Those are a lot higher stakes roads due to the constant heavy traffic and the speeds that are maintained.