SEMCOG seeks input on long-term regional transit plan
The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments has released the first of a series of videos as a part of a campaign to garner public input on its 2040 transportation plan for the region, which will be drafted in 2013.
SEMCOG is seeking feedback on its transportation plan.
The video, titled “The Inside Story on Roads and Bridges,” is the beginning of public outreach efforts for SEMCOG. It details the financial constraints Michigan is facing that have prevented many roadways from being updated.
“Our roads and bridges are deteriorating at a rate faster than we have resources to improve them,” according to the narration on the SEMCOG video. “Without additional funding, this trend will continue. The longer we wait, the more it will cost us, and the longer it will take to improve the system to acceptable standards.”
In 2004, 90 percent of the roads in Southeast Michigan were in good or fair condition. By 2011, less than 70 percent were in good or fair condition, according SEMCOG’s video.
SEMCOG is accepting feedback through an online survey. Additionally, comments can be submitted by email to InfoCenter@semcog.org.
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.
Comments
Narnia
Sun, Nov 18, 2012 : 11:03 p.m.
What a scam. If they spent current funds on maintaining the roads, instead of planning multiple regional transit plans and trains that almost nobody will ride, then we would have great roads. We don't have to increase funding for a group that has wasted so much of our tax dollars already. Fix the roads and save the mass transit planning for the future, if and when we have a high density population that wants it.
RedSchwinn
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 6:10 p.m.
Amy, please change the word "transit" in the headline to "transportation", since the story is really about traffic and infrastructure. You've got the "anything to do with public transit" boys all stirred up already, and the text of the story doesn't really mention anything about transit. (I admit, I haven't yet looked at the video.) The transportation plan may include some public transit component, but this is southeastern Michigan., so I assume it's mostly about cars, and the minitanks commonly referred to as SUVs.
Steve Hendel
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 2:02 p.m.
One more hand stirring the pot.. transit consultants must be rubbing their hands in glee. First SEMTA (remember them?), then the slew of high-paid firms paid by the AATA-pardon me, The Ride-to draft the now-defunct regional plan for Washtenaw, plus numerous others hired by the City of Ann Arbor in connection with WALLY, the Fuller Road train station-pardon me, the Intermodal yadda yadda yadda, etc. Does anything ever actually get DONE around here? Or is it just a series of pie-in-the-sky projects, none of which ever get implemented?
Veracity
Sat, Nov 17, 2012 : 4:22 a.m.
Clever, Top Cat! -:)
Brad
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 5:11 p.m.
You say "none of which ever get implemented" like that's a BAD thing.
Top Cat
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 4:44 p.m.
The definition of a consultant is someone who borrows your watch, tells you what time it is and then charges you for their efforts.