A Lansing State Journal editorial

The collapse of a bridge in Minnesota sent state officials in Michigan, and elsewhere, scurrying to re-check similar spans and issue assurances.

The good news so far:

Michigan has only four bridges like the Interstate 35 span that collapsed. All four have been re-checked. All are OK, say road officials.

Further, Michigan Department of Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle pointed out last week that the state has increased bridge maintenance and inspection ranks in the last few years.

Those high points, however, can't hide the fact that Michigan, like other states, has aging infrastructure it struggles to maintain. A Reason Foundation review ranked Michigan No. 34 in bridge conditions, with nearly 28 percent deemed "deficient" in 2006.

And deficiencies will continue unless action is taken.

So, the question becomes, "What action?"

A coalition of business and labor groups has touted a fuel tax increase to fund more road work. They argue, correctly, that Michigan has to fix its road networks to compete economically - and that such repairs create jobs.

The idea has gotten a chilly reception at the State Capitol, though, where Senate Republicans in particular launch rhetorical attacks almost daily against any discussion of tax increases.

The gas tax is the way to go, but work off the assumption that it isn't. What then?

MDOT's own 25-year plan says the state has $81 billion in road needs over the period and can expect only about $37 billion in revenue to cover them.

It's true that Michigan remains a "donor" state on federal fuel taxes - drivers here pay in more than they get back in federal road funds. That should change, but Michigan cannot change that fact alone, nor is it likely to get much help in Washington, D.C., to do so.

In theory, at least, Michigan could triage its road and bridge network, abandoning roadways and spans it lacked the money to keep in safe repair. Try that one out with the public and see how far it goes.

Also in theory, the Legislature and governor could agree to divert general fund money to road work. But with lawmakers stalemated on balancing the general fund even without such a policy, the outlook for that option is dim indeed.

So, that leaves ... no new action or a fuel-tax increase to fund at least some additional work.

That's an easy call - for lawmakers and the general public.