If the people of Michigan – and, frankly, a good number of the editorial boards across the state – had their way, Michigan drivers would no longer be subjected to the bone-jarring condition of the state’s roads and bridges.

Supporters of increased investment in Michigan’s transportation infrastructure this week presented solid evidence of the public will to fix the state’s decrepit roads and bridges. More than 5,000 petition signatures were delivered to the Capitol during a Michigan Transportation Team (MTT) rally.
 
The message to Michigan legislators was clear: A growing majority of frustrated Michigan voters wants Lansing to finally do something about the state’s crumbling roads and bridges.
 
The hope is that this irrefutable evidence of broad support for investment in Michigan’s transportation infrastructure will finally push Michigan legislators to act. For months, they have refused to develop revenue sources to maintain Michigan roads and bridges.
That failure to act hurts economic development efforts and has turned Michigan’s roadways into a national joke.
 
Of course, the situation is anything but funny to the millions of citizens and businesses that depend on Michigan’s transportation infrastructure.
 
The current Michigan Department of Transportation budget cuts Michigan’s road and bridge program by 62 percent due to declining gas tax revenues and the state’s inability to match federal dollars. MDOT was forced to cancel 257 road and bridge projects, which could have created 5,000 to 7,000 much-needed jobs.
 
At this point, it’s hard to know what will finally get lawmakers’ attention. However, it seems the people of Michigan may finally have had enough. Fix Michigan Roads Now!