PrintRoad Funding
The presentation listed below outlines the current road funding conditions in Michigan and in Grand Traverse County. Click below and learn more about road conditions locally and in our state. MTA Presentation
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.
Late January/early February 2010, two bills to update Michigan's antiquated method of road funding were introduced through a bipartisian effort. Without an increase in road funding, 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. If the rate doesn't increase, it will mean that the federal taxes you will stay pay every time you pump fuel into your tank, funds roads in someone's state.
With the declining state of Michigan's roads, you can make a choice - either fund road repairs or car repairs, be prepared to see more paved roads in our state become gravel.
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 more efficient cars, alternate fuels and generally higher fuel costs.
Encourage our elected officials to raise the user fees to repair roads, rather than spending our hard-earned dollars on car repairs. Contact Senator Jason Allen and Representative Wayne Schmidt - tell them you would rather pay an increase in user fees for road improvements than to pay for repairs to your car! Find about more at www.drivemi.org