Study claims Michigan is $4 billion short to fix state roads, bridges

FOX 2 (WJBK) – The state’s street drawback is worse than you thought, in line with a brand new report that claims Michigan is brief practically $4 billion yearly to repair state roads and bridges.

That determine comes from the Michigan Transportation Infrastructure Wants and Funding Options Report launched by Public Sector Consultants in Lansing.

“I feel that may be a bit bull crap. I’m going to be trustworthy,” mentioned one driver. “4 billion {dollars} to repair the roads? Come on.”

It will come from us, the taxpayers, ultimately form or type. It relies on what state lawmakers do.

The research checked out 5 concepts to boost the money.

“PSC was not requested to endorse a specific answer,” mentioned Maggie Pallone, VP of Public Sector Consultants. “As an alternative we have been requested to establish implementable concepts for policymakers to think about after which the fee to keep up.”

The concepts are:

-Improve the motor fuels tax an extra 74 cents.

-Permit that tax to be assessed on a per-dollar foundation, as a substitute of per gallon.

-Improve the gross sales tax to cowl transportation funding.

-Permit native governments to enact their very own gross sales taxes.

-Transfer to a Car Mile Traveled or VMT which might enable for a charge to be assessed on a per mile foundation.

We took the concepts to the individuals.

FOX 2: “Would you pay extra in a gasoline tax?”

“I’d. I positively would,” mentioned a driver.

“No gasoline is already excessive man,” mentioned one other. “Gasoline goes up and down each different day. I don’t suppose we must always should pay extra man.”

Many specialists who watch each the roads and the cash in Michigan say this drawback may have, and will have been solved many years in the past.

“Twenty years in the past individuals have been aghast when Gov. (Jennifer) Granholm proposed a 9-cent enhance within the gasoline tax, which might have solved this drawback,” mentioned Brad Williams, VP Detroit Regional Chamber. “After which quick ahead 10 years later after we didn’t resolve the issue, and voters rejected Gov. (Rick) Snyder’s .1 cent enhance within the gross sales tax. That will have additionally solved the issue, now these prices have gone up.”

Street trade specialists say at this level, every little thing ought to be on the desk to shut the $4 billion hole even when it means switching to toll roads.

“While you have a look at that quantity I feel it’s time to think about something,” mentioned Rob Coppersmith, Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Affiliation. “As a result of that’s an excessive quantity and it’s going to be troublesome to get to. It’s going to be painful to get to.”