There’s little doubt among lawmakers that Michigan must come up with new ways to pay for maintaining its broad transportation network. What’s unclear, however, is whether or not the new money would be invested in repairing our crumbling roads, or on building new and wider highways.
More money is needed for transportation in Michigan, especially when it comes to rebuilding our freight and passenger rail network, improving transit, maintaining the roads we already have, and building our cities. But unless state lawmakers offer more local financing tools amid the state transportation debate, city streets will continue to crumble.
Last October, Governor Snyder called for some bold new ideas about how we invest in Michigan’s transportation system, from roads, bridges, bicycles, buses and trains. And next Thursday at 4:00 PM, here at the MLUI office, folks around the Traverse City region can weigh in on some of those ideas.