Two reports in the past week show that, even with increased spending, Michigan’s roads and bridges leave much to be desired.
Michigan roads
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Install work zone cameras for speeders to save workers’ lives
In 2021, there were more than 5,800 work zone crashes in Michigan, 19 of them fatal. Automatic speed enforcement systems will reduce the danger. The idea isn’t to surprise drivers; work zones and the presence of cameras will be clearly marked under the legislation.
Posted inMichigan Government
Lawmakers look to further limit cell phone use while driving in Michigan
Michigan lawmakers are considering bills to ban drivers from holding their phone while driving. They have bipartisan support.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan brine brouhaha: Proposed limits for unpaved roads prompt dustup
The salty solution is killing the state’s precious waters, but efforts to cut back on spraying have met fierce opposition.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan wants to use cameras to ticket speeders in construction zones
‘It’s not a Big Brother thing,’ one supporter says, but similar systems are controversial in other states.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Democrats in no rush to prioritize ‘fixing the damn roads’
Gretchen Whitmer made addressing the state’s crumbling roads a rallying cry in her first, successful run for governor. But the issue appears to be on the backburner for now as Democrats pursue other legislative priorities.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Replace gas tax with mileage fee to pay for Michigan’s roads
An MSU economics professor does the math and makes the case for mileage fees as the best way to replace gas tax revenue that will dwindle as we turn to EV’s. We won’t pay more, just differently.
Posted inMichigan Government
Trade group: Michigan’s lousy roads getting lousier, need $3.9B more per year
Michigan roads are notoriously bad, and solutions to fix them inevitably involve a tax increase of some sort, according to a study released Tuesday by a construction trade group.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan voters are skeptical of EVs and the value of college in new poll
A disconnect between business and policy goals and how Michigan voters view them emerged in the latest query by the Detroit Regional Chamber and polling partner The Glengariff Group Inc. of Lansing.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan’s local road conditions improved slightly, but projections still bleak
Local roads in Michigan are slightly better than they were in prior years. But that’s not saying much.