The House Transportation committee went on the road this week to Traverse City and heard from a packed audience about the funding crisis facing local road agencies and the Michigan Department of Transportation. State Representative Pam Byrnes, chair of the committee, was joined by Representatives Wayne Schmidt and Paul Opsommer on Monday afternoon in Traverse City as officials from MDOT, local road commissions, road construction companies, and private residents expressed their concerns about the current road funding situation in Michigan. State officials also talked about the expected northern Michigan impact from MDOT having to delay over 250 road projects around the state, due to their inability to bring almost a half billion dollars in federal gas tax money back to Michigan. Those who testified expressed frustration with the current funding situation, continued declines in state support and rising costs to the legislators in attendance.
The committee will continue this discussion at other stops around the state this spring. On Monday, March 22nd, the committee is scheduled to meet at Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Texas Township campus to talk about the project delays and the expected impacts on local communities and their economies. Details of this hearing can be found at: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(sb4pieaglq4o0yrzwdmswvm2))/mileg.aspx?page=committeemeeting&objectname=2010-HCS-c2ce47bf-b345-4175-885f-d4f9dbf3ee57.
I encourage everyone in the area to attend this hearing or other, future hearings. It is critically important that legislators understand the need for increased investment in roads, infrastructure and transit. These investments will play a key role in restoring our communities and the state's economy. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like further information on the road funding debate taking place in Lansing.
Chris Hackbarth is the transportation policy advisor for the Michigan Municipal League. Chris can be reached at 517-908-0303 or by email at chackbarth@mml.org.
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