When 137 transportation projects were recently canceled across Michigan because of the state's economic situation and the inability to find matching funds to support the construction work, about $740 million was lost. And our state and our workers stand to lose plenty as well.

Michigan's infrastructure is in a state of decay and ill repair. In fact, our roads are already considered some of the worst in the country. This situation requires full attention to rebuild and rehabilitate.

According to drivemi.org, 28 percent of Michigan's 10,754 roadway bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, while 38 percent of the state's 120,256 miles of roadways are rated in poor or mediocre condition. In May, the Michigan Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers gave Michigan's infrastructure a grade of a D. And Thomas Maxwell, president of the state civil engineering group, says more than 90 percent of Michigan's 2,581 dams will reach the end of their design life by 2020.

This is bad news for Michigan. Poor road conditions combined with the abandonment of these crucial projects compromises the safety of all citizens.

Repair and reconstruction of our roads, bridges and freeways is obviously needed. It is time for a serious look at addressing our decaying infrastructure. Updating our roads and other infrastructure will help Michigan attract new business, which results in a stronger economy, more jobs and increased tax revenue.

By abandoning road and bridge repair and reconstruction projects, thousands of jobs are lost, affecting an untold number of Michigan households. I support Mike Nystrom's statement that "We are in a state of crisis when it comes to our transportation funding, and it is being felt in every community across the state."

New businesses will not be inclined to open in areas left in disrepair. Likewise, potential customers will not hurry to shop in places too dangerous to traverse.

With the Ambassador Bridge project completed and portions of I-75 slated to be finished this summer, I had hoped the momentum would continue. Knowing that more than 100 improvements elsewhere in the Metro Detroit area and beyond have been canceled makes me wonder if the initiative has already failed. How can we improve Michigan's economy when so many of our roads are unsafe and crumbling?

Improving Michigan's infrastructure funding needs to become a higher priority to help the state's economic future.

Douglas C. Buckler is executive secretary/treasurer of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights. Find more commentaries at detnews.com/editorial.