LANSING – A Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) reorganization plan, which cuts staff and offices, was heralded today by the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA)

The “MDOT Reinvented” plan, announced at a state transportation commission meeting today in Benton Harbor, reorganizes the department to focus on providing transportation services that support business growth and an improved quality of life for Michigan residents. It reduces staff and consolidates or closes MDOT facilities around the state to improve efficiencies and ensure transportation services are provided “better, faster, cheaper, safer, smarter” than ever before.

“Legislators and citizens alike have been asking for more efficiency in government and the new ‘MDOT Reinvented’ plan delivers on that goal,” said Mike Nystrom, executive vice president of MITA. “This plan sets the stage for a long-term transportation funding discussion by demonstrating that taxpayer dollars can be spent responsibly.”

A June 2 report from MDOT found that over one-quarter of Michigan bridges were “functionally obsolete” or “structurally deficient,” with bridges from all 83 counties making the list. An April report from the Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council also revealed that 35 percent of roads that qualify for federal transportation dollars and 46 percent of non-federal aid roads were in poor condition.

Despite such needs, Michigan lawmakers have failed to invest in infrastructure. The Transportation Funding Task Force, which was appointed by former Governor Granholm and the Legislature, reported that Michigan needs an additional $3 billion per year to maintain our existing road and bridge network.

Highlights of the “MDOT Reinvented” plan include:

• Closing or consolidating seven facilities statewide, saving an estimated $300,000 per year in rent and utilities.
• Consolidating MDOT divisions and offices to eliminate duplicated services and those unrelated to core agency goals.
• Choosing not to fill 60 positions, which are part of 450 jobs that will be left unfilled.
• Maintaining nearly 15 percent fewer staff since 2009, which saves an estimated $45 million. Since 1977, approximately 50 percent of MDOT's full-time staff have been eliminated.

"MDOT's cutbacks will allow for a leaner, more effective organization, and takes us one step closer to providing legislators with assurances that increased transportation funding will go where it is needed most – to rescue our crumbling transportation system," Nystrom said.

MITA represents a broad spectrum of highway construction companies and suppliers that help build a better Michigan infrastructure from the bottom up. It has been a leading voice in efforts to secure adequate transportation funding at the federal and state levels. For more information, visit www.mi-ita.com or www.drivemi.org.