Friday, October 9, 2009
Better Roads Saves Lives

Michigan legislators can save an estimated 174 lives per year simply by increasing funding to make sure roadways throughout the state are safe.

As part of the national Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day this Saturday, the Michigan Transportation Team (MTT) is reminding lawmakers that studies show...

Thursday, June 4, 2009
MDOT Cancels Road and Bridge Projects

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has been forced to cancel more than 137 road and bridge projects, totaling $740 million, due to the state’s inability to match available federal dollars.

MDOTs recently released five-year plan lists the statewide projects that have been cancelled,...

Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Message in a Bottle: No Excuses!

Legislators received a stern warning when bottles filled with the remains of Lake Montcalm Road, Montcalm County were delivered to their state offices today. The bottles contained millings collected when the road was pulverized and turned back to gravel due to lack of funding, a cost-saving move now...

Thursday, December 4, 2008
State Proposes Cutting 246 Road Projects, 7,888 Jobs Lost by 2011

The Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT’s) proposed five year transportation plan would cut 246 road projects and 7,888 jobs by 2011, because of plummeting gas tax revenues and a road funding system in the midst of collapse.

The State Transportation Commission recently approved the proposed...

Monday, April 7, 2008
Pothole Contest Winners Announced

LANSING — A coalition working to secure more funding to fix Michigan’s roads and bridges today announced four “service station scholarship” winners of a month-long contest to identify the worst rim-bending potholes in the state.

The judges chose award-winning potholes in...

Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Michigan Transportation Team Launches Ad Campaign

OKEMOS, Mich. – With Michigan motorists facing arguably the worst pothole season in history, the Michigan Transportation Team (MTT) is calling on legislators to “Fix Our Roads NOW!” in an aggressive ad campaign. MTT has launched this campaign in the midst of pothole season –...

Wednesday, February 27, 2008
$150 Million Road Bonding Proposal

Craters Engulf Michigan Roadways While
Policymakers Wait Eight Months to Complete a Study

LANSING — While huge craters and potholes overwhelm Michigan roads, state policymakers pass the buck by waiting eight months for a new report to be written before even beginning to take action.

Gov....

Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Drivers Urged to Submit Pothole Pictures

OKEMOS, Mich. While Michigan faces one of the worst pothole seasons in history, drivers are jumping at the chance to locate and photograph the largest, frame-bending pothole among Michigan roads.

The contest, sponsored by the Michigan Transportation Team (MTT), began February 11th and runs through...

Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Statement of Mike Nystrom, MITA VP of Government and Public Relations, Regarding the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission Report

“The National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission issued a report yesterday which highlights the dramatic transportation infrastructure needs across the U.S. The report discusses the numerous transportation challenges our country faces and makes recommendations for the reauthorization...

Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Caution: Job Loss Ahead

Today orange road construction barrels lined sidewalks leading to the Capitol, and a large backhoe-loader overshadowed a VW Beetle to remind lawmakers that Michigan is losing 12,255 jobs due to a drop in state transportation funding.

The VW Beetle symbolized the 3,010 automotive, banking and pharmaceutical...

Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Media Advisory – Caution: Job Loss Ahead

WHO: Mike Nystrom – Vice-President of Government and Public Relations, Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA) and Co-Chair of the Michigan Transportation Team (MTT).
Mark Johnston – President, Ajax Paving Industries, Inc.
Rich Studley – Executive Vice...

Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Bridge in a Box: Crumbled Concrete Delivered to Legislators’ Offices

Christmas came early for lawmakers today when 148 boxes filled with fallen concrete from bridges across Michigan was delivered to their Lansing offices.

“Just like the bad kid at Christmas, legislators got a big lump of coal in the form of dilapidated infrastructure to remind them Michigan’s...

Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Wake Up Call: MI Groups Challenge Policymakers to Act Immediately on State Gas Tax in Light of Minnesota Bridge Collapse

The Minnesota bridge collapse should serve as a wake-up call to state lawmakers in Lansing to fix the state’s deteriorating roads and bridges, a coalition representing Michigan businesses, local governments and the transportation industry announced today at a press conference. They challenged...

Tuesday, August 7, 2007
WAKE UP CALL: Minnesota Bridge Collapse Prompts MI Coalition of Business, Labor, Local Governments and Transportation Leaders to Call for Legislative Action for More Funding

WHO: Mike Nystrom, Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association
Rich Studley, Michigan Chamber of Commerce
Vicki Barnett, Mayor of Farmington Hills & President of Michigan Municipal League
John Niemela, County Road Association of Michigan

WHAT: News Conference Calling for Action to...

Monday, August 6, 2007
Minnesota Bridge Collapse Should Serve As a Wake-Up Call for Michigan

Click on the pdf below for a list of Michigan's Critical Bridges.

In the aftermath of Wednesday's tragic collapse of a major bridge in Minnesota, industry experts in Michigan warned today that more than 200 bridges in our state are at risk due to aging, wear and tear, and a significant shortage in...

Wednesday, July 25, 2007
As Mighty Mac Turns Fifty, 200 Other MI Bridges are on Critical List

While elected leaders and other honored guests gather in Mackinaw City this week to celebrate the 50th birthday of Michigan’s greatest bridge, the tell-tale signs of aging and neglect have left many of the state’s lesser known spans in dire straits.

Today, the Michigan Infrastructure...

Wednesday, June 27, 2007
MDOT Predicts $44 Billion Funding Shortfall

Transportation leaders today renewed their call for a gas tax increase on the heels of MDOT’s projection of a $44 billion funding shortfall that could severely hamper its capacity to maintain, fix and expand roads and bridges over the next two decades.

Under current state and federal funding...

Thursday, May 24, 2007
Michigan Motorists Lose $7 Billion a Year Due to Substandard Roads

Substandard roads and bridges cost Michigan drivers approximately $7 billion per year in the cost of wasted time and fuel, additional traffic crashes and increased vehicle maintenance costs as a result of state routes that have significant deterioration, are congested or lack adequate safety features,...

Thursday, May 3, 2007
Winners Announced in Pothole Contest

A coalition working to secure more funding for Michigan’s roads and bridges today announced three “service station scholarship” winners in a two-week long contest to identify the worst potholes in the state.

The judges chose: Richard Salzwedel’s snapshot of a seemingly bottomless...

Monday, April 23, 2007
Soaring Gas Prices Hurt Roads

Legislation in the House Would Help Remedy Transportation Funding Crisis

Due to rising gas prices and fuel conservation, Michigan’s gas tax revenues have experienced a dramatic $40 million drop, creating yet another pothole in available transportation funding.

Gas tax revenues account for...

Monday, April 16, 2007
Conservative Think-Tank Calls for Gas Tax Hike

Days after contractors and other business leaders told a state House panel that a gas tax increase is necessary to keep Michigan’s roads and bridges from falling apart, a Midland-based conservative think-tank has reached the same conclusion.

The report released Monday by the Mackinac Center...

Monday, April 9, 2007
$250 Reward Offered to Locate Worst Potholes

With Michigan motorists facing another season of nerve-shattering and frame-bending potholes, leaders of a statewide campaign for increased transportation funding kicked off today a two-weeklong contest to find the state’s biggest roadway crater.

The contest, sponsored by the Michigan Transportation...

Thursday, March 29, 2007
Don't Forget About Our Roads: Transportation Key to Economy Says Labor and Business

Today the House Transportation Committee, under the leadership of Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor), held the second of three weeks of hearings to determine whether Michigan needs a gas tax increase to fix the state’s deteriorating road, bridge and transit systems. The testimony heard today resonated...

Wednesday, March 28, 2007
House Committee Convenes Second Week of Crucial Transportation Funding Hearings

On Thursday, the House Transportation Committee, chaired by Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor), will hold the second of three hearings to determine whether Michigan needs a gas tax increase to fix the state’s deteriorating road, bridge and transit systems. The committee will hear from previously unlikely...

Thursday, March 22, 2007
Legislators Reminded: Don’t Forget About Our Roads

Today the House Transportation Committee, under the leadership of Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor), held the first of three weeks of hearings to determine whether Michigan needs a gas tax increase to fix the state’s deteriorating road, bridge and transit systems. The testimony heard today resonated...

Wednesday, March 21, 2007
House Committee Convenes Crucial Transportation Funding Hearings

On Thursday, the House Transportation Committee, under the leadership of Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor), will convene three weeks of hearings to determine whether Michigan needs a gas tax increase to fix the state’s deteriorating road, bridge and transit systems.

The hearings culminate a year-long...

Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Michigan Transportation Team Launches Ad Campaign on Transportation

The Michigan Transportation Team (MTT) says now is the time for legislators to act and fix our transportation system in its new 'Don't Forget About Our Roads' ad campaign. MTT has launched this campaign in the midst of pothole season at a time when it is most evident that our roads and bridges are in...

Monday, January 22, 2007
Michigan's Local Roads Facing Dire Challenges

LANSING – Michigan’s more than 90,000 miles of county road and over 25,000 miles of municipal streets face severe funding shortfalls while continuing to face growing demands, according to a new report.

Entitled “The Rough Ride Home: A Look at Michigan’s Local Roads,”...

Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Report: Michigan Roads are Deadly

LANSING, Mich. —Michigan is averaging more than 408,000 motor vehicle accidents annually, resulting in nearly 1,300 fatalities, according to a new report released today.

“Crash Courses: An Analysis of Traffic Accidents in Michigan,” examines Michigan accident records and trends...

Thursday, November 16, 2006
State Announces $130 Million Shortfall in Transportation Plan

LANSING, Mich. — For the first time ever, the Michigan Department of Transportation five-year plan, released today, includes a funding gap of $130 million from 2007 to 2011.

“This is not good news for Michigan’s roads, which are already suffering from years of under-funding,”...

Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Michigan Interstate System Turns 50

Lansing, June 27, 2006 – For the last 50 years, Michigan’s Interstate Highway System has remained the most critical link in the state’s transportation network, saving Michigan residents $27.6 billion annually - $2,728 per person- in safety benefits, saved time, reduced fuel and lower...

Monday, June 26, 2006
Fifty Years of Interstate Highway System in Michigan Creates Positive Impact

Report details condition, impact, use and future needs of Michigan’s Interstate Highway System

WHO: Frank R. Moretti, Director of Policy and Research, TRIP
Kirk Steudle, Director, Michigan Department of Transportation

WHAT: News Conference to release the findings of TRIP’s report...

Monday, May 8, 2006
Michigan Transportation Team Kicks-Off Drive MI

Michigan business and labor leaders are joining forces again to tackle Michigan's long-standing practice of underfunding transportation needs.
Click on the link below to read more.

Thursday, April 20, 2006
MITA Praises Transportation Agreement

MITA issued a statement in response to a bi-partisan transportation agreement.

Tuesday, March 7, 2006
MITA Supports Transportation Funding Plan

Please click on the following link to view the press release.

Monday, February 27, 2006
Michigan's Road & Bridge Conditions Receive Grade of "D"

Additional transportation funding needed to improve road and bridge conditions, relieve traffic congestions and improve safety.

Monday, February 27, 2006
Lansing Roads Receive Failing Grade

More than a fifth of major roads in the Lansing metro area are in poor condition and one-third of bridges in the region are deficient, according to a new report released by TRIP.

Monday, February 27, 2006
Grand Rapids Road Conditions Receive Failing Grade in New Report

More than a quarter of major roads in the Grand Rapids metro area are in poor condition.

Monday, February 27, 2006
Detroit Roads & Bridges Receive Failing Grade in New Report

More than a third of major roads in the Detroit metro area are in poor condition, four out of ten bridges in the region are deficient.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Wixom Closing Emphasizes Need to Fix Michigan's Crumbling Transportation System

The closing of the Wixom Assembly Plant is just another example of what will happen if we contine to allow the state's infrastructure to crumble.

Tuesday, November 30, 1999