PrintRoad Funding
Who Pays to Build/Fix Roads?
Road improvements are funded by a user fee, comonly called "gas tax." It is truly a user fee as those who use the system pay according to their usage. As you fuel your vehicle, you are paying 19 cents/gallon towards maintaining every public road in Michigan. That includes pothole patching, reconstruction, road signs, traffic signals, shoulder maintenance, gravel road blading and dust control, and SNOWREMOVAL to name a few activities.
Motorists in Michigan may consider themselves fortunate. There has been only one increase in those cents/gallon since 1984. They have saved money at the pump, but at what cost?
You may print the following brochures to learn more about road funding.
Funding Issues - Learn what it will take to get and keep our roads in good condition.
Road Classifications, Funding and Ratings -Learn why and how different types of roads receive different allocations and have different requirements for matching funds.
Why Are Our Roads Falling Apart - Learn why our roads are they way they are.
To Learn More What's Happening Statewide
Check out www.drivemi.org
Local Road Funding
If you want to know about road funding here in Grand Traverse County, view this presentation by Manager Mary Gillis to the House Transportation Committee and our local township officials this spring.
Delay in State Road Projects
On May 5, 2010 the local evening news reported on the "delay" of scheduled road projects in Michigan. Those knowledgeable about the State of Michigan's road funding were not surprised. The current gas tax, which is 19 cents per gallon regardless of the fuel price, has only been adjusted once since 1984. Federally-aided projects receive 80% of the construction cost for those states who can provide the remaining 20% "local match." As our legislators have not acted to adjust our "income," Michigan does not have the 20% local match money. That's why 2/3 of Michigan's anticipated road projects are not being done as scheduled.
Late January/early February 2010, two bills to update Michigan's antiquated method of road funding were introduced through a bipartisian effort. Because these laws did not move forward, Michigan will literally loose billions of federal dollars as it does not have the finances to provide the required 20% local match now and for the foreseeable future. What happens to our 80%? It will fund road projects in someone's state.
A series of transportation bills were introduced on May 14, 2009, but were never implemented. Any and all improvements to the 1997 funding level are welcomed. Not many agencies could survive on a 13-year old budget that has steadily declined since that time. This is due in part to declining fuel sales of gas and diesel due to loss of population, more efficient cars, alternate fuels and generally higher fuel costs.
What Can I Do?
Encourage our elected officials to review this user fee. Our roads need help. Contact Senator Jason Allen and Representative Wayne Schmidt and share your opinion regarding the condition of our roads. If you're satisfied, let them know. If you're not satisifed, let them know as well.