Michigan's roads are in a fix

Gas tax revenue drop in poor economy jeopardizes repairs

Jim Lynch and Candice Williams / The Detroit News

Nearly a third of all the road miles in Michigan were rated in poor condition last year, according to a study released Monday.

The latest evaluation of all state's roads eligible for federal funding puts Wayne and Oakland counties as having the most miles in poor condition.

Macomb County ranks seventh on the list, compiled for the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association, an organization supporting the road construction industry.

Among municipalities, the largest cities such as Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and Flint have the most problems.

Metro Detroit suburbs also fared poorly: Livonia ranked fifth among Michigan cities for most road miles in poor condition. Southfield ranked sixth.

Drops in revenue produced by Michigan's gas tax are forcing communities to put some projects on hold and others back on the drawing board. Financially strapped consumers are driving less, reducing gas consumption, squeezing more miles out of old cars before buying new ones and opting for fuel efficiency when they purchase their vehicles.

All of that spells problems for transportation projects statewide that are mainly funded by the gas tax and vehicle registrations. But the idea of pushing a tax increase when Michigan residents are still reeling with high unemployment and falling home values could be a tough sell.

Livonia resident Gordon Johnson isn't sure how far he would go to improve the roads -- even sections he describes as "horrendous."

"If it's a matter of higher taxes for better roads, it would depend on what we're talking about," he said Monday. "I guess I'd be open to looking at it as a citizen voter or taxpayer."

Without some change, the vicious cycle will continue and roads, a vital part of attracting and sustaining industry, will continue to deteriorate, according to the transportation association.

"Ultimately, the longer we put the decision off to fix the situation, the worse the situation becomes," said Mike Nystrom, the group's vice president of government and public relations. "We have seen the number of lane miles in poor condition grow exponentially in recent years."

Many had hoped that an infusion of dollars this year from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act would improve Michigan's roads. But that money may not go as far as people hoped. In Macomb County, for example, stimulus funds will ultimately pay for nine projects with a total cost of $17 million.

"A five-lane road costs about $1.5 million per mile to fix," said Bob Hoepfner, highway engineer for the Road Commission of Macomb County. "There isn't enough money to stay ahead of the curve."

jlynch@detnews.com (313) 222-2034