LANSING, Mich. – More than 5,000 petition signatures were delivered during a Michigan Transportation Team (MTT) rally at the Capitol today, telling lawmakers to fix Michigan’s deteriorating infrastructure – now.

With local jobs and construction projects at stake, advocates said it’s urgent for lawmakers to invest in Michigan’s crumbling infrastructure.

“Legislators can no longer ignore the deplorable state of our roads, bridges, transit systems and all aspects of our state’s infrastructure,” said Mike Nystrom, executive vice president of the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA), and co-chair of the MTT. “Michigan citizens are demanding action and will hold their legislators accountable.”

Constituents at the rally included a truck driver, a Grand Rapids area transit rider for more than 30 years, an aviation representative from Oakland County, the mayor of Saline, and more who spoke about the impacts of Michigan’s inability to properly fund its infrastructure.

“I signed my name to the petition and am here today because after traveling across the country from Texas, I know firsthand that Michigan roads are by far some of the worst in the nation,” said Laura Baughman, a truck driver originally from Lansing, who now lives in Texas. “I’m waiting for my truck to be swallowed up by one of Michigan’s potholes. Michigan lawmakers must recognize that for truckers like me, braving the condition of Michigan’s roads is a serious risk because we can’t afford to pay for a blown tire or realignment.”

Those rallying today told lawmakers to act now to avoid an $84 million transportation funding shortfall, which would force the state to send $475 million to California, Indiana and other states because of Michigan’s inability to meet federal matching requirements.

“I signed my name to the petition because as the owner of a trucking company based out of Michigan – employing Michigan workers – there’s too much at stake for lawmakers not to invest in our roads,” said John Hunt, J.W. Hunt, OTC located in Bad Axe. “As a business owner, I’m already paying for the poor condition of our roads. I pay more when my trucks are damaged by concrete falling from overpasses in the Metro area. I am more than willing to pay a higher fuel tax rate to drive on roads that are maintained during the winter and do not cause damage to my equipment.”

The current MDOT 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. Michigan faces a $2.4 billion reduction in state and federal funding for projects between 2011 and 2014. Although Michigan’s roads are the most visible victim of funding shortfalls, cuts in airport funding have created a $1.6 billion backlog of capital needs.

Snapshot of Michigan’s infrastructure:

• Michigan has more than 28,000 miles of road in poor condition; 58 percent of Michigan roads are either in poor condition or unpaved.
• Nearly 1,400 bridges are either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.
• 38 counties have had to pulverize failing pavement into gravel.
• 257 road and bridge projects have been cut across the state.

“I signed my name because increasing transportation investment is absolutely critical to our state’s local communities and cities,” said Gretchen Driskell, mayor of Saline, and chair of the Transportation Funding Task Force (TF2) Citizens Advisory Committee. “It’s been almost two years since we presented our findings to lawmakers calling for an immediate investment in our state’s roads. Yet lawmakers have failed to act on our recommendations. Michigan citizens are fed up. We need to secure transportation funding now!”

“With our man-hours in the road and bridge industry down 23 percent from a year ago, and even worse down 50 percent from five years ago, it is unacceptable for lawmakers to pass a underfunded budget that hurts job creation,” said Sam Houston, Region IV Director/Guard, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324.

The current MDOT budget also drastically underfunds the state’s public transportation system. The bipartisan Transportation Funding Task Force (TF2) recommended a “good” level of investment in public transit as $773 million – this is $500 million above the state’s current level of investment.

“I signed my name to the petition because I’ve been a rider of public transit for more than 30 years, and without it I’d be home-bound,” said Casey Dutmer, a Grand Rapids area transit rider for more than 30 years. “Now is the time to implement the recommendations of the TF2 so our state can finally invest in public transportation!”

Petition signers indicated support for any legislation that will increase investment in Michigan’s transportation infrastructure, including raising revenue through adjustments in vehicle registration fees, user fees on gasoline and diesel fuel, and other new funding strategies. To view the petition and exact petition language, visit www.DriveMI.org.

Michigan residents can voice their concerns about road funding by calling a toll-free number – 888-719-3087 – set up by MTT. Callers simply enter their five-digit ZIP code to be connected with their legislative offices.

The Michigan Transportation Team (MTT) is a broad-based, bipartisan partnership of business, labor, local government, associations and citizens with the common goal of improving Michigan’s transportation infrastructure. The DriveMI campaign is committed to promoting the development and maintenance of a safe, convenient and efficient transportation network that serves the public, private and economic development needs of Michigan. Please visit www.drivemi.org for more information on transportation funding or follow them on twitter @drivemi or YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/FixMIRoads or find them on Facebook.

Contact: Mike Nystrom, Executive Vice President, MITA Office: (517) 347-8336 Cell: (517) 896-1493