Modernizing Michigan's Transportation System Report
Modernizing Michigan's Transportation System Report
Modernizing Michigan's Transportation System Report
Transportation System:
Progress and Challenges in Providing Safe, Efficient and
Well-Maintained Roads, Highways and Bridges
MARCH 2019
Founded in 1971, TRIP ® of Washington, DC, is a nonprofit organization that researches, evaluates and distributes economic and
technical data on surface transportation issues. TRIP is sponsored by insurance companies, equipment manufacturers, distributors
and suppliers; businesses involved in highway and transit engineering and construction; labor unions; and organizations concerned
with efficient and safe surface transportation.
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System
Executive Summary
A decade after suffering a significant economic downturn, Michigan is recovering, with its population
and economy growing and vehicle travel increasing in response to the growth. But the state’s rate of
recovery could be slowed if Michigan is not able to provide a modern, well-maintained transportation
system. The pace of economic growth, which will be greatly impacted by the reliability and condition of the
state’s transportation system, continues to have a significant impact on quality of life in the Great Lakes
State.
An efficient, safe and well-maintained transportation system provides economic and social benefits
by affording individuals access to employment, housing, healthcare, education, goods and services,
recreation, entertainment, family, and social activities. It also provides businesses with access to suppliers,
markets and employees, all critical to a business’ level of productivity and ability to expand. Reduced
accessibility and mobility - as a result of traffic congestion, a lack of adequate capacity, or deteriorated
roads, highways, bridges and transit facilities - diminishes a region’s quality of life by reducing economic
productivity and limiting opportunities for economic, health or social transactions and activities.
With an economy based largely on agriculture, manufacturing, technology, natural resource
extraction, and tourism, the quality of Michigan’s transportation system plays a vital role in the state’s
economic growth and quality of life.
In late 2015, Michigan’s governor signed into law a transportation funding package that relies on a
combination of increased user fees, registration fees and general funds. While this increased funding will
allow the state and local governments to move forward with numerous projects to repair and improve
portions of the state’s transportation system, the funding is not sufficient to fully address the significant
deterioration of the system, or to allow the state to provide many of the transportation improvements
needed to support economic growth.
Achieving the state’s goals for a modern, well-maintained and safe transportation system will require
staying the course with Michigan’s current transportation program and increasing transportation
investment.
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 2
• Driving on rough roads costs Michigan motorists a total of $4.6 billion annually in extra vehicle
operating costs. These costs include accelerated vehicle depreciation, additional repair costs, and
increased fuel consumption and tire wear.
• Based on research indicating that roadway design is likely a contributing factor in approximately one-
third of serious and fatal traffic crashes, TRIP estimates that the economic costs of serious and fatal
traffic crashes in Michigan, in which roadway design was likely a contributing factor, is $3.9 billion
per year. These costs come in the form of lost household and workplace productivity, insurance and
other financial costs.
• Traffic congestion costs Michigan motorists a total of $5.6 billion each year in the form of lost time
and wasted fuel.
• The chart below details the average cost per driver in the state’s largest urban areas and statewide.
• In late 2015, Michigan's governor signed into law a road funding package that relies on a
combination of increased user fees, such as gas taxes and registration fees, and allocations from the
General Fund.
• As a result of the funding increase, state funding for local roads and bridges, state roads and bridges,
and transit will increase from $2.2 billion in 2015 to almost $3.7 billion in 2023. The chart below
details the amount (in millions) of state funding for local roads and bridges, state roads and bridges,
and transit.
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 3
State Funding for State Funding for State Funding for Total Program
Year
Local Roads/Bridges State Roads/Bridges Transit State + Local
2015 1,043 923 276 2,242
2016 1,074 756 293 2,123
2017 1,364 967 319 2,649
2018 1,469 1,052 359 2,880
2019 1,642 1,143 350 3,135
2020 1,798 1,246 354 3,398
2021 1,906 1,317 359 3,583
2022 1,937 1,330 360 3,626
2023 1,968 1,342 360 3,670
• The 2015 transportation legislation provided an additional $484 million in transportation revenue in
2017, increasing to $649 million annually in 2021. The legislation also provided income-tax revenues
for transportation starting in 2019.
Additional Income-tax
Year
User Fees Revenue
2016 N/A N/A
2017 484 N/A
2018 628 N/A
2019 639 150
2020 644 325
2021 649 600
• The income-tax revenue provided by the 2015 legislation is not dedicated in the state’s Constitution -
- as road-user fees are - and the appropriation could be changed. After 2020, income-tax revenues
are expected to continue at $600 million per year, and the fuel-tax rate will rise with the Consumer
Price Index after 2022.
• Additional transportation funding provided by the 2015 legislation will allow Michigan to move
forward with numerous projects that otherwise may have remained unfunded. The list below details
a sampling of projects in Michigan's major urban areas and throughout the state that are either
underway or will be underway or completed no later than 2023, partly due to increased revenue.
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 4
Michigan Statewide
County Route Location Improvement
ALGER M-28 FROM ONOTA ST. TO THE ALGER/SCHOOLCRAFT COUNTY LINE Road Rehabilitation
ARENAC US-23 I-75 TO M-13 Road Rehabilitation
BAY I-75 BEAVER RD TO COTTAGE GROVE Road Rehabilitation
BAY M-13 OVER THE EAST CHANNEL OF THE SAGINAW RIVER Bridge Replacement
BAY US-10 W 7 MILE RD TO BAY CITY Reconstruction
BERRIEN I-94 E BRITAIN AVENUE TO I-196 Reconstruction
BERRIEN I-94 E ST. JOSEPH RIVER TO BRITAIN AVENUE. Reconstruction
BERRIEN I-94 W I-196 TO 0.7 MILES WEST OF M-140 Road Rehabilitation
BERRIEN I-94 W OVER SQUAW CREEK, SOUTH OF US-12 Road Rehabilitation
BERRIEN M-51 CHESTNUT LANE TO M-60BR Reconstruction
BERRIEN US-31 N US-12 (EXIT 3) TO MATTHEW ROAD Road Rehabilitation
CALHOUN I-69 SB N DRIVE NORTH (EXIT 42) TO EATON COUNTY LINE Reconstruction
CHARLEVOIX US-31 BARNARD ROAD/NORWOOD ROAD NORTH TO BARNARD ROAD Reconstruction
CHEBOYGAN I-75 NB FROM LEVERING RD TO SOUTH OF HEBRON TOWN HALL RD Road Rehabilitation
CHEBOYGAN SB I-75 FROM SOUTH OF HEBRON TOWN HALL RD NORTH TO US-31 Road Rehabilitation
GENESEE I-69 FENTON ROAD TO M-54 Reconstruction
GRAND TRAVERSE US-31 MURCHIE BRIDGE EAST TO GARFIELD AVENUE Reconstruction
GRATIOT US-127 GREAT LAKES CENTRAL RAILROAD CROSSING TO BAGLEY RD. Road Rehabilitation
ISABELLA M-20 US-127 BUSINESS ROUTE (MISSION ST) TO US-127 Reconstruction
KALAMAZOO I-94 EAST OF LOVERS LANE TO EAST OF PORTAGE ROAD Major Widening
KALAMAZOO I-94 PORTAGE ROAD TO SPRINKLE ROAD Major Widening
MENOMINEE US-41 FROM MENOMINEE TO WALLACE Road Rehabilitation
ROSCOMMON I-75 N MAPLE VALLEY ROAD TO 9 MILE HILL ROAD Road Rehabilitation
ROSCOMMON US-127 SB US-127 BUSINESS ROUTE TO RIVER ROAD Road Rehabilitation
SAGINAW I-75 2 BRIDGES IN SAGINAW COUNTY Reconstruction
SAGINAW M-46 2 BRIDGES IN SAGINAW COUNTY Bridge Replacement
SAGINAW US-127 N HESS TO SOUTH I-675 INTERCHANGE Road Rehabilitation
ST. CLAIR I-69 EB COX DOTY DRAIN TO M-19 Reconstruction
ST. CLAIR I-69 W M-19 TO TAYLOR ROAD Road Rehabilitation
VAN BUREN I-94 E WEST OF M-51 TO 40TH STREET Road Rehabilitation
• Despite additional transportation funding provided by the 2015 legislation, numerous needed
transportation projects in Michigan remain unfunded. The list below details projects in Michigan's major
urban areas and throughout the state that currently lack adequate funding to proceed.
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 6
Detroit Area
County Route Location Improvement
MACOMB I-94 8 Mile to 11 Mile Reconstruct
MACOMB M-3 14 Mile to Remick Reconstruct
OAKLAND I-75 M-15 to County Line Rehabilitation
OAKLAND I-75 Giddings to M-15 Rehabilitation
OAKLAND I-96 County Line to I-275 Rehabilitation
OAKLAND M-1 Oakridge to 14 Mile Road Reconstruct
OAKLAND M-14 Sheldon to Newburgh Reconstruct
OAKLAND M-24 Harriet to Davison Rehabilitation
OAKLAND M-5 S. of 12 Mile to N. of 15 Mile Road Rehabilitation
OAKLAND M-59 Pontiac Lake Road to Airport Road Reconstruct
WAYNE I-275 Northline Road to County Line Rehabilitation
WAYNE I-94 County Line to I-275 Rehabilitation
WAYNE I-94 Wayne to Beech Daly Reconstruct
WAYNE I-96 Schaefer to Roosevelt Reconstruct
WAYNE M-1 Tuxedo to S. of 8 Mile Road Reconstruct
WAYNE M-10 McNichols to S. of I-75 Rehabilitation
WAYNE M-10 55 Bridges on/over M-10 Rehabilitation
WAYNE M-153 Sheldon to Lotz Reconstruct
WAYNE M-39 Plymouth Road to Ford Road Reconstruct
WAYNE M-39 M-153 to S. of I-94 Rehabilitation
WAYNE M-39 37 Bridges on/over M-39 Rehabilitation
WAYNE M-59 Romeo Plank to I-94 Reconstruct
WAYNE US-12 Pershing to Henry Ruff Rehabilitation
WAYNE US-12 I-96 to Cass (Corktown area) Reconstruct
WAYNE US-24 Van Born to Ford Road Reconstruct
Grand Rapids Area
IONIA I-96 EB Sunfield Highway to the Grand River Reconstruct
KENT I-196 EB Fuller Avenue to Maryland Avenue Reconstruct
KENT I-96 Under Fruit Ridge Avenue Reconstruct
KENT I-96 EB M-44 (East Beltline) to Cascade Road Reconstruct
KENT M-37 South of 84th Street north to 76th Street (Caledonia) Reconstruct
KENT US-131 NB M-11 north to Hall Street Reconstruct
KENT US-131 NB Hall Street north to S-Curve Reconstruct
MASON US-31 NB Meisenheimer Road north to US-10 Rehabilitation
MECOSTA US-131 Old County Line north to 14 Mile Road Rehabilitation
MONTCALM M-46 Miles Road east to M-66 (East Junction) Rehabilitation
MUSKEGON M-46 US-31 east to Maple Island Road Rehabilitation
MUSKEGON US-31 at M-46 Reconstruct
NEWAYGO M-37 M-82 (N JCT) north to the White River Rehabilitation
OTTAWA US-31 SB Quincy Street to Ferris Street Rehabilitation
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 7
Lansing Area
County Route Location Improvement
CLINTON I-69 Airport Road to US-127 Reconstruct
CLINTON I-69 US-127 to Shiawasse county line Reconstruct
EATON I-69 Island Highway to Vermontville Highway Reconstruct
EATON I-69 Vermontville Hwy to I-96 Reconstruct
HILLSDALE M-49 Village of Camden Reconstruct
HILLSDALE/LENAWEEUS-127 CHURCH RD TO US-223, HILLSDALE AND LENAWEE CO Rehabilitation
INGHAM I-496 Lansing Road to the Grand River Reconstruct
INGHAM US-127 Jackson co line to Barnes Reconstruction
INGHAM US-127 I-96 to I-496 third lane Reconstruct
INGHAM US-127 12 Bridges on US-127 Reconstruct
JACKSON I-94 west ave interchange Reconstruct
JACKSON I-94 County line to Michigan Ave Reconstruct
JACKSON I-94BL MICHIGAN AVE, DWIGHT ST TO BENDER ST, JACKSON Rehabilitation
LENAWEE M-34 Hazen Creek to M-52 Rehabilitation
LENAWEE M-50 Sunset to River Raisin in Tecumseh Reconstruct
LENAWEE US-223 Rome Road to Industrial Drive Rehabilitation
LIVINGSTON I-96 BL National to I-96 Rehabilitation
LIVINGSTON M-59 East City Limits of Howell to Old US-23 Reconstruct
LIVINGSTON US-23 M-36 interchange Reconstruction
LIVINGSTON US-23 M-36 to I-96 Rehabilitation
MONROE US-23 School to Ida Center Reconstruct
WASHTENAW I-94 Freer to Parker Rehabilitation
WASHTENAW I-94 Parker to M-14 Rehabilitation
WASHTENAW I-94 US-23 to Wayne co line Rehabilitation
WASHTENAW I-94 11 Bridge on/over I-94 Reconstruct/CPM
WASHTENAW I-94 M-14 to US-23 Reconstruct
WASHTENAW I-94 12 Bridges on/over I-94 Reconstruct
WASHTENAW I-94 BL US-23 BR to Carpenter Road Rehabilitation
WASHTENAW M-14 I-94 to US-23 Reconstruct
WASHTENAW US-12 Maple Street to I-94 Rehabilitation
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 8
Michigan Statewide
County Route Location Improvement
ALPENA US-23 Hamilton Road to the N. Alpena Co. Line Reconstruction
ANTRIM US-131 Elder Rd to Alba Rd Reconstruction
ARENAC US-23 Standish south CL to Grove Str Reconstruct
BAY US-10 WB Midland/Bay COL to 7 Mile Road Reconstruct
BENZIE US-31 East of Honor from Goose Rd to Reynolds Rd Rehabilitation
BERRIEN I-94BL Glenlord Rd to M-63 Rehabilitation
BERRIEN M-139 I-94 to I-94BL Rehabilitation
BERRIEN M-63 City of St. Joseph Reconstruction
BERRIEN M-63 St. Joseph River to I-196 Rehabilitation
BERRIEN US-12 Galien River to Dayton Lake Rehabilitation
BERRIEN US-12 Mayflower Road to Barron Lake Road Rehabilitation
BRANCH M-66 M-60 to D Drive S Rehabilitation
BRANCH US-12 Michigan Avenue to Willowbrook Road Reconstruction
CALHOUN I-94 M-311 to Old 27 Rehabilitation
CALHOUN M-311 M-60 to M-96 Rehabilitation
CALHOUN M-60 Homer to Jackson County Rehabilitation
CASS M-60 Barron Lake Road to Vandalia Rehabilitation
CASS M-62 Eau Claire to Dowagiac Rehabilitation
CASS M-62 Indiana State Line to Cassopolis Rehabilitation
CASS M-62 US-12 to M-60 Rehabilitation
CHEBOYGAN US-23 Mill Creek Discovery Park Drive to Nipigon Rd Reconstruction
CLARE US-127 US-10 BR to US-10 Rehabilitation
CLARE US-127 over US-127 Business Route and M-61 Reconstruct
CLARE US-127 Long Lake Rd north to Clare/Roscommon COL Rehabilitation
DELTA US-2 Hyde to Escanaba Reconstruct
DELTA US-2 N. 30th Street to Danforth Rd Reconstruct
DICKINSON US-2 US-141 south Jct to C St Norway Reconstruct
DICKINSON US-2 Michigan Ave to US-141 south junction in Iron Mountain Reconstruct
EMMET M-68 Crooked River Bridge to King Rd Rehabilitation
EMMET US-131 Bear River Road to Lears Road Reconstruction
EMMET US-31 Graham Rd to Blumke Rd Rehabilitation
EMMET US-31 Division Road to Graham Road Reconstruction
GENESEE I-475 Flint River to Carpenter Rd, Flint Reconstruct
GENESEE I-475 6 Bridges on I-475, Flint Reconstruct
GENESEE I-475 Bristol Rd to Thread Creek, Flint Reconstruct
GENESEE I-75 Court Street north to I-475 north JCT Reconstruct
GENESEE I-75 10 Bridges on/over I-75, Flint Reconstruct/CPM
GENESEE I-75 Oakland / Genesee COL to US-23 Rehabilitation
GENESEE M-21 Thayer St to Cesar Chavez Dr, Flint Reconstruct
GENESEE M-21 Morrish Road to I-75 Rehabilitation
GENESEE M-54 Hemphill to Atherton, Leith to Stuart Rehabilitation
GENESEE M-54 3 Bridges on M-54 Reconstruct
GRAND TRAVERSE US-31 Benzie/GT Cnty Line to M-37 (Chums) Reconstruction
GRATIOT M-46 Montcalm COL to US-127 BR Rehabilitation
GRATIOT US-127 US-127/M-46 interchange area Reconstruct
GRATIOT US-127 3 Bridges US-127/M-46 interchange area Reconstruct
GRATIOT US-127 Clinton/Gratiot COL to M-57 Rehabilitation
IOSCO US-23 Iosco S. Co. Line to Townline Road Reconstruction
IOSCO US-23 Tawas River to Tawas Beach Road Reconstruction
KALAMAZOO I-94 40th Street (Exit 88) to 6 1/2 mile road Rehabilitation
KALAMAZOO I-94BL M-96 to I-94 Rehabilitation
KALAMAZOO M-89 M-43/M-89 Intersection to the Kalamzoo/Calhoun Co. Line Rehabilitation
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 9
• After decreasing by 14 percent between 2000 and 2009, when adjusted for inflation, Michigan’s
gross domestic product, a measure of the state’s economic output, increased by 21 percent from
2009 to 2017.
• Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in Michigan increased by seven percent from 2013 to 2017, to 101.8
billion vehicle miles traveled in 2017.
• The Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council (TAMC) found in its Michigan’s 2017 Roads
and Bridges Annual Report that 40 percent of federal-aid eligible roads and highways in Michigan
have pavements in poor condition, an increase from 2006 when 25 percent were rated in poor
condition.
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 10
• The TAMC report found that under current funding the share of federal-aid eligible roads in the state
in poor condition will decrease slightly by 2027 to 37 percent.
• Based on 2017 pavement condition data from the Federal Highway Administration, the chart below
details pavement conditions on major roads in the state’s largest urban areas:
• Statewide, eleven percent of Michigan’s bridges are structurally deficient. A bridge is structurally
deficient if there is significant deterioration of the bridge deck, supports or other major components.
Structurally deficient bridges are often posted for lower weight or closed to traffic, restricting or
redirecting large vehicles, including commercial trucks and emergency services vehicles.
• The TAMC report found that under current funding the share of Michigan bridges rated in poor
condition (which is a rating similar to structurally deficient) will increase from 10 percent in 2017 to
14 percent in 2027.
• Forty-three percent of Michigan’s bridges (4,815 out of 11,180) were built in 1969 or earlier. Bridges
50 years or older often require significant rehabilitation or replacement.
• The Federal Highway Administration estimates that it would cost $607 million to replace or
rehabilitate all structurally deficient bridges in Michigan.
• The chart below details the number and share of structurally deficient bridges in the state’s largest
urban areas and statewide:
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 11
Percent Number
Location Structurally Structurally Total
Deficient Deficient Bridges
Ann Arbor 17% 43 258
Detroit 9% 225 2,581
Flint 14% 53 371
Grand Rapids 4% 36 950
Kalamazoo-Battle Creek 10% 46 483
Lansing 13% 88 652
Muskegon 10% 14 141
Saginaw-Bay City-Midland 20% 120 603
Michigan-Statewide 11% 1,175 11,180
• The chart below details the number of hours lost to congestion annually for the average driver in
Michigan’s largest urban areas. It also includes the cost of congestion per motorist, in the form of lost
time and wasted fuel.
• Michigan’s overall traffic fatality rate of 1.01 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel in 2017
was below the national average of 1.16.
• The fatality rate on Michigan’s non-interstate rural roads in 2017 was nearly double that on all other
roads in the state (1.55 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel vs. 0.83).
• The following chart indicates the average number of people killed annually in vehicle crashes in
Michigan’s major urban areas from 2014 to 2016.
Average
Location Fatalities
2015-2017
Ann Arbor 31
Detroit 358
Flint 40
Grand Rapids 103
Kalamazoo - Battle Creek 73
Lansing 43
Muskegon 15
Saginaw-Bay City-Midland 40
• Several factors are associated with vehicle crashes that result in fatalities, including driver behavior,
vehicle characteristics and roadway features. TRIP estimates that roadway features are likely a
contributing factor in approximately one-third of fatal traffic crashes.
• Where appropriate, highway improvements can reduce traffic fatalities and crashes while improving
traffic flow to help relieve congestion. Such improvements include removing or shielding obstacles;
adding or improving medians; improved lighting; adding rumble strips, wider lanes, wider and paved
shoulders; upgrading roads from two lanes to four lanes; and better road markings and traffic signals.
• Signed into law in December 2015, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act),
provides modest increases in federal highway and transit spending, allows states greater long-term
funding certainty and streamlines the federal project approval process. But, the FAST Act does not
provide adequate funding to meet the nation’s need for highway and transit improvements and does
not include a long-term and sustainable funding source.
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 13
• Annually, $1 trillion in goods are shipped to, from and within sites in Michigan, mostly by truck.
• Seventy percent of the goods shipped annually to and from sites in Michigan are carried by trucks
and another 15 percent are carried by courier services or multiple mode deliveries, which include
trucking.
• Approximately 1.9 million full-time jobs in Michigan in key industries like tourism, retail sales,
agriculture and manufacturing are dependent on the state’s transportation infrastructure network.
• Increasingly, companies are looking at the quality of a region’s transportation system when deciding
where to re-locate or expand. Regions with congested or poorly maintained roads may see
businesses relocate to areas with a smoother, more efficient and more modern transportation
system.
• Increasingly, companies are looking at the quality of a region’s transportation system when deciding
where to re-locate or expand. Regions with congested or poorly maintained roads may see
businesses relocate to areas with a smoother, more efficient and more modern transportation
system. Highway accessibility was ranked the number one site selection factor in a 2017 survey of
corporate executives by Area Development Magazine. Labor costs and the availability of skilled
labor, which are both impacted by a site's level of accessibility, were rated second and third,
respectively.
Sources of information for this report include the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Michigan Department of
Transportation (MDOT), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Official (AASHTO), the Bureau of
Transportation Statistics (BTS), the U. S. Census Bureau, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Michigan Transportation Asset
Management Council (TAMC), the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), the American Road & Transportation Builders Association
(ARTBA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). All data used in the report are the most recent
available.
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 14
Introduction
Michigan’s roads, highways and bridges form vital transportation links for the state’s residents,
visitors and businesses, providing daily access to homes, jobs, shopping, natural resources and recreation.
Modernizing Michigan’s transportation system is critical to providing mobility and economic competitiveness
Supporting quality of life and a robust economy in Michigan requires that the state provide a safe,
efficient and well-maintained transportation system. Inadequate transportation investment, which will
result in deteriorated transportation facilities and diminished access and safety, will negatively affect
In late 2015, Michigan’s governor signed into law a road funding package that relies on a
combination of increased user fees, registration fees and general funds. While this funding will allow the
state to make progress in improving the condition and efficiency of its transportation system, and to
complete a host of needed projects, the funding is not sufficient to fully address the significant deterioration
on the system.
To maintain its level of economic competitiveness and achieve further economic growth, Michigan
will need to maintain and modernize its roads, highways and bridges by improving the physical condition of
the transportation network and enhancing the system’s ability to provide efficient, reliable and safe mobility
for residents, visitors and businesses. Making needed improvements to Michigan’s roads, highways, bridges
and transit systems could also provide a significant boost to the state’s economy by creating jobs in the
short term and stimulating long-term economic growth as a result of enhanced mobility and access.
This report examines the condition, use and safety of Michigan’s roads, highways and bridges and
future mobility needs. Sources of information for this report include the Michigan Department of
Transportation (MDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), the U.S.
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 15
Census Bureau, the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), the American Road & Transportation Builders
Association (ARTBA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Michigan residents and businesses require a high level of personal and commercial mobility.
Population increases and economic growth in Michigan have resulted in an increase in vehicle miles of travel
(VMT) and an increase in the demand for mobility. To foster quality of life and spur continued economic
growth in Michigan, it will be critical that the state provide a safe and modern transportation system that
can accommodate future growth in population, tourism, business, recreation and vehicle travel.
Michigan’s population is nearing pre-recession levels after beginning to fall in 2005 and dropping
each year until 2011. 1 The state’s population has increased each year from 2011 to 2018 and is currently at
10 million residents. 2 Michigan had approximately 7.1 million licensed drivers in 2017. 3
After decreasing by 14 percent between 2000 and 2009, when adjusted for inflation, Michigan’s
gross domestic product, a measure of the state’s economic output, increased by 21 percent from 2009 to
2017. 4
Vehicle travel in Michigan increased by seven percent between 2013 and 2017, reaching 101.8 billion
vehicle miles of travel in 2017. 5 By 2040, vehicle travel in Michigan is projected to increase another 20
percent. 6
The life cycle of Michigan’s roads is greatly affected by the state and local governments’ ability to
perform timely maintenance and upgrades to ensure that road and highway surfaces last as long as possible.
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 16
The share of Michigan’s major roads with pavements in poor condition are increasing due to a lack of
adequate state and local funding, providing a rough ride and costing motorists in the form of additional
The Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council (TAMC) found in its Michigan’s 2017 Roads
and Bridges Annual Report that 40 percent of federal-aid eligible roads and highways in Michigan have
pavements in poor condition, an increase from 2006 when 25 percent were rated in poor condition. 7 The
TAMC report found that under current funding the share of federal-aid eligible roads in the state in poor
The Michigan Department of Transportation annually provides data to the FHWA on the condition of
major state and locally maintained roads and highways. Based on 2017 FHWA data, the chart below details
Pavement failure is caused by a combination of traffic, moisture and climate. Moisture often works
its way into road surfaces and the materials that form the road’s foundation. Road surfaces at intersections
are even more prone to deterioration because the slow-moving or standing loads occurring at these sites
subject the pavement to higher levels of stress. It is critical that roads are fixed before they require major
repairs because reconstructing roads costs approximately four times more than resurfacing them. 10 As roads
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 17
and highways continue to age, they will reach a point of deterioration where routine paving and
maintenance will not be adequate to keep pavement surfaces in good condition and costly reconstruction of
Source: North Carolina Department of Transportation (2016). 2016 Maintenance Operations and
Performance Analysis Report
TRIP has calculated the additional cost to motorists of driving on roads in poor, mediocre or fair
condition. When roads are in poor, mediocre or fair condition – which may include potholes, rutting or
rough surfaces – the cost to operate and maintain a vehicle increases. These additional vehicle operating
costs (VOC) include accelerated vehicle depreciation, additional vehicle repair costs, increased fuel
consumption and increased tire wear. TRIP estimates that additional VOC borne by Michigan motorists as a
result of deteriorated road conditions is $4.6 billion annually, or $646 per driver. 12 The costs are typically
higher in the state’s largest urban areas. The chart below details the annual VOC per driver in the state’s
Additional vehicle operating costs have been calculated in the Highway Development and
Management Model (HDM), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation and more than
100 other countries as the definitive analysis of the impact of road conditions on vehicle operating costs. The
HDM report is based on numerous studies that have measured the impact of various factors, including road
The HDM study found that road deterioration increases ownership, repair, fuel and tire costs. The
report found that deteriorated roads accelerate the pace of depreciation of vehicles and the need for repairs
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 19
because the stress on the vehicle increases in proportion to the level of roughness of the pavement surface.
Similarly, tire wear and fuel consumption increase as roads deteriorate since there is less efficient transfer of
power to the drive train and additional friction between the road and the tires.
TRIP’s additional VOC estimate is based on taking the average number of miles driven annually by a
motorist, calculating current VOC based on AAA’s 2018 VOC and then using the HDM model to estimate the
additional VOC paid by drivers as a result of substandard roads. 14 Additional research on the impact of road
conditions on fuel consumption by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) is also factored in to TRIP’s
Michigan’s bridges form key links in the state’s highway system, providing communities and
individuals access to employment, schools, shopping and medical facilities, and facilitating commerce and
Eleven percent of Michigan’s locally and state maintained bridges are rated as structurally
deficient. 15 A bridge is structurally deficient if there is significant deterioration of the bridge deck, supports
or other major components. Bridges that are structurally deficient may be posted for lower weight limits or
closed if their condition warrants such action. Deteriorated bridges can have a significant impact on daily
life. Restrictions on vehicle weight may cause many vehicles – especially emergency vehicles, commercial
trucks, school buses and farm equipment – to use alternate routes to avoid posted bridges. Redirected trips
also lengthen travel time, waste fuel and reduce the efficiency of the local economy.
The TAMC report found that under current funding the share of Michigan bridges rated in poor
condition (a rating similar to structurally deficient) will increase from 10 percent in 2017 to 14 percent in
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 20
2027. 16 The Federal Highway Administration estimates that it would cost $607 million to replace or
The chart below provides bridge conditions in the state’s largest urban areas and statewide. 18
replaced.
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 21
Increasing levels of traffic congestion cause significant delays in Michigan, particularly in larger urban
areas, choking commuting and commerce. Traffic congestion robs commuters of time and money and
imposes increased costs on businesses, shippers and manufacturers, which are often passed along to the
consumer.
The chart below details the number of hours lost to congestion annually for the average driver in the
state’s largest urban areas. It also includes the annual congestion cost per motorist in the form of lost time
Chart 5. Annual hours lost to congestion and congestion-related costs for the average driver in Michigan’s
largest urban areas.
Hours Lost Annual
Location to Cost
Congestion Per Driver
Ann Arbor 29 $671
Detroit 54 $1,278
Flint 26 $616
Grand Rapids 41 $923
Kalamazoo - Battle Creek 21 $491
Lansing 25 $554
Muskegon 17 $376
Saginaw-Bay City-Midland 15 $349
Source: TRIP Estimate Based on Analysis of Texas Transportation Institute and Federal Highway
Administration data.
manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers and can reduce the attractiveness of a location when a
A total of 4,905 people were killed in Michigan traffic crashes from 2013 to 2017, an average of 981
The following chart indicates the average number of people killed annually in vehicle crashes in
Chart 7. Average Number of Traffic Fatalities Per Year from 2015 to 2017 in Michigan’s largest urban areas.
Average
Location Fatalities
2015-2017
Ann Arbor 31
Detroit 358
Flint 40
Grand Rapids 103
Kalamazoo - Battle Creek 73
Lansing 43
Muskegon 15
Saginaw-Bay City-Midland 40
Source: TRIP analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Three major factors are associated with fatal vehicle crashes: driver behavior, vehicle characteristics
and roadway features. It is estimated that roadway features are likely a contributing factor in approximately
one-third of fatal traffic crashes. Roadway features that impact safety include the number of lanes, lane
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 23
widths, lighting, lane markings, rumble strips, shoulders, guard rails, other shielding devices, median barriers
Michigan’s overall traffic fatality rate of 1.01 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel in 2017
is lower than the national average of 1.16. 21 The traffic fatality rate on the state’s rural roads is
disproportionately high. The fatality rate on Michigan’s non-interstate rural roads in 2017 was nearly double
that on all other roads in the state (1.55 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel vs. 0.83). 22
Improving safety on Michigan’s roadways can be achieved through further improvements in vehicle
safety; improvements in driver, pedestrian, and bicyclist behavior; and a variety of improvements in
The severity of traffic crashes could be reduced through roadway improvements, where appropriate,
such as adding turn lanes, removing or shielding obstacles, adding or improving medians, widening lanes,
widening and paving shoulders, improving intersection layout, and providing better road markings and
upgrading or installing traffic signals. Roads with poor geometry, with insufficient clear distances, without
turn lanes, having inadequate shoulders for the posted speed limits, or poorly laid out intersections or
Investments in rural traffic safety have been found to result in significant reductions in serious traffic
crashes. A 2012 report by TTI found that improvements completed recently by TxDOT that widened lanes,
improved shoulders and made other safety improvements on 1,159 miles of rural state roadways resulted in
133 fewer fatalities on these roads in the first three years after the improvements were completed (as
compared to the three years prior). 23 TTI estimates that the improvements on these roads are likely to save
In late 2015, Michigan’s governor signed into law a road funding package that relies on a
combination of increased user fees, registration fees and general funds. While the 2015 transportation
funding package will allow the state to increase investment in road, highway and bridge repairs and to
complete numerous needed projects, the funding is not sufficient to reverse the significant deterioration on
the system, or to allow the state to proceed with numerous projects to support economic development and
quality of life.
As a result of the funding increase, state funding for local roads and bridges, state roads and bridges,
and transit will increase from $2.2 billion in 2015 to almost $3.7 billion in 2023. 25 The chart below details the
amount (in millions) of state funding for local roads and bridges, state roads and bridges, and transit.
Chart 8. Annual funding for local roads, state roads and transit (in millions).
State Funding for State Funding for State Funding for Total Program
Year
Local Roads/Bridges State Roads/Bridges Transit State + Local
2015 1,043 923 276 2,242
2016 1,074 756 293 2,123
2017 1,364 967 319 2,649
2018 1,469 1,052 359 2,880
2019 1,642 1,143 350 3,135
2020 1,798 1,246 354 3,398
2021 1,906 1,317 359 3,583
2022 1,937 1,330 360 3,626
2023 1,968 1,342 360 3,670
Source: MDOT response to TRIP survey.
The 2015 transportation legislation provide an additional $484 million in transportation revenue in
2017, increasing to $649 million annually in 2021. 26 The legislation also provided income-tax revenues for
The income-tax revenue provided by the 2015 legislation is not dedicated in the state’s Constitution -
- as road-user fees are - and the appropriation could be changed. After 2020, income-tax revenues are
expected to continue at $600 million per year, and the fuel-tax rate will rise with the Consumer Price Index
in 2022. 27
Additional transportation funding provided by the 2015 legislation will allow Michigan to move
forward with numerous projects that otherwise may have remained unfunded. The list below details a
sampling of projects in Michigan's major urban areas and throughout the state that are either underway or
will be underway or completed no later than 2023, partly due to increased revenue.
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 26
Chart 10. Projects that will be completed or underway by 2023, partially as a result of increased funding.
Detroit Regional Area
County Route Location Improvement
MACOMB M-3 N 11 MILE ROAD TO 14 MILE ROAD Reconstruction
OAKLAND I-696 W I-275 TO LAHSER Road Rehabilitation
OAKLAND M-24 S. OF GOLDENGATE TO N. OF HARRIET Road Rehabilitation
OAKLAND US-24 S LONG LAKE TO ORCHARD LAKE RD AND MAPLE RD. INTERSE Road Rehabilitation
WAYNE I-275 S S. OF M-153 TO 5 MILE ROAD Road Rehabilitation
WAYNE I-275 S NORTHLINE ROAD (S. OF I-94) TO M-153 Road Rehabilitation
WAYNE I-375BS E S. OF I-75/I-375 INTERCHANGE TO JEFFERSON AVE. Reconstruction
WAYNE I-75 N AT MILWAUKEE AVE (S17 OF 82251) Bridge Replacement
WAYNE I-75 N OVER THE ROUGE RIVER AND FORT STREET Bridge Rehabilitation
WAYNE I-75 N M-102 (8 MILE ROAD) OVER I-75 Bridge Replacement
WAYNE I-94 CASS AVENUE, DETROIT, WAYNE COUNTY Bridge Replacement
WAYNE I-94 E E OF I-96 TO E OF CONNER AVENUE Reconstruction
WAYNE I-94 E E. GRAND BLVD OVER I-94 Bridge Replacement
WAYNE I-94 E AT GRAND RIVER AVE (S17 OF 82024) Bridge Replacement
WAYNE I-94 E AT CONRAIL RAILROAD (X01 OF 82025) Bridge Replacement
WAYNE I-94 E AT CONRAIL RAILROAD (X02 OF 82024) Bridge Replacement
WAYNE I-94 E AT FORTENAC ST (S08 OF 82024) Bridge Replacement
WAYNE I-94 E FROM ST. AUBIN TO FRONTENAC Reconstruction
WAYNE I-94 E FROM ST. AUBIN TO FRONTENAC Reconstruction
WAYNE I-94 W FROM I-96 TO CONNER Queue Warning System
WAYNE I-94 W PELHAM TO EAST OF M-39 Road Rehabilitation
WAYNE US-24 GRAND RIVER TO N. OF 8 MILE ROAD Reconstruction
WAYNE US-24 CARTER TO PENNSYLVANIA Road Rehabilitation
Grand Rapids Regional Area
ALLEGAN I-196 (SB) 130TH AVENUE NORTH TO US-31 Reconstruction
IONIA I-96 W BLISS ROAD EAST TO SUNFIELD HIGHWAY Reconstruction
KENT I-96 E THORNAPPLE RIVER DRIVE EAST TO WEST OF WHITNEYVILL Road Rehabilitation
OTTAWA I-196 E WEST OF 32ND AVE.EAST TO EAST OF OTTAWA/KENT CO. LINE Reconstruction
OTTAWA I-196 E BYRON ROAD EAST TO 32ND AVENUE Reconstruction
OTTAWA US-31 N OVER THE GRAND RIVER Bridge Rehabilitation
Lansing Regional Area
CLINTON I-69 S 12 BRIDGES BETWEEN AIRPORT RD AND I-96 Bridge CPM
CLINTON I-69 I-96 TO AIRPORT ROAD Reconstruction
CLINTON US-127 S US-127 FROM S. OF M-43 TO ~ 875' S. OF CLARK RD Road Rehabilitation
EATON I-496 I-496 FROM I-96 TO LANSING ROAD Reconstruction
EATON I-69 N 0.5 MILES SOUTH OF CALHOUN/EATON CO LINE TO NYE HWY. Road Rehabilitation
INGHAM I-496 I-496WB RAMP OVER CSX Bridge Replacement
INGHAM M-99 M-99 FROM ~1,700 FT NORTH OF HOLT HWY TO EDGEWOOD Reconstruction
JACKSON M-60 E EB AND WB OVER I-94 Bridge Replacement
JACKSON EAST I-94 I-94 AT ELM ROAD Reconstruction
JACKSON I-94 E I-94 UNDER LANSING AVE Reconstruction
JACKSON I-94 E MICHIGAN AVE TO M-60 Reconstruction
JACKSON US-127 N NORTH OF HENRY ROAD TO JACKSON/INGHAM COUNTY LINE Road Rehabilitation
LENAWEE US-223 US-127 & US-223 FROM US-12 TO STODDARD ROAD Road Rehabilitation
LIVINGSTON I-96 I-96 FROM CHILSON TO DORR Road Rehabilitation
LIVINGSTON M-59 WEST OF LAKENA RD TO THE COUNTY LINE Road Rehabilitation
MONROE I-75 UNDER LAPLAISANCE ROAD OVER I-75 Bridge Replacement
MONROE I-75 I-75 FROM ERIE RD TO OTTER CREEK RD Reconstruction
MONROE I-75 N 4 BRIDGES ON I-75 IN MONROE COUNTY Bridge Replacement
WASHTENAW I-94 W WASHTENAW/JACKSON COUNTY LINE TO FREER Road Rehabilitation
WASHTENAW US-23 BR I-94 BL TO M-14 Road Rehabilitation
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 27
Michigan Statewide
County Route Location Improvement
ALGER M-28 FROM ONOTA ST. TO THE ALGER/SCHOOLCRAFT COUNTY LINE Road Rehabilitation
ARENAC US-23 I-75 TO M-13 Road Rehabilitation
BAY I-75 BEAVER RD TO COTTAGE GROVE Road Rehabilitation
BAY M-13 OVER THE EAST CHANNEL OF THE SAGINAW RIVER Bridge Replacement
BAY US-10 W 7 MILE RD TO BAY CITY Reconstruction
BERRIEN I-94 E BRITAIN AVENUE TO I-196 Reconstruction
BERRIEN I-94 E ST. JOSEPH RIVER TO BRITAIN AVENUE. Reconstruction
BERRIEN I-94 W I-196 TO 0.7 MILES WEST OF M-140 Road Rehabilitation
BERRIEN I-94 W OVER SQUAW CREEK, SOUTH OF US-12 Road Rehabilitation
BERRIEN M-51 CHESTNUT LANE TO M-60BR Reconstruction
BERRIEN US-31 N US-12 (EXIT 3) TO MATTHEW ROAD Road Rehabilitation
CALHOUN I-69 SB N DRIVE NORTH (EXIT 42) TO EATON COUNTY LINE Reconstruction
CHARLEVOIX US-31 BARNARD ROAD/NORWOOD ROAD NORTH TO BARNARD ROAD Reconstruction
CHEBOYGAN I-75 NB FROM LEVERING RD TO SOUTH OF HEBRON TOWN HALL RD Road Rehabilitation
CHEBOYGAN SB I-75 FROM SOUTH OF HEBRON TOWN HALL RD NORTH TO US-31 Road Rehabilitation
GENESEE I-69 FENTON ROAD TO M-54 Reconstruction
GRAND TRAVERSE US-31 MURCHIE BRIDGE EAST TO GARFIELD AVENUE Reconstruction
GRATIOT US-127 GREAT LAKES CENTRAL RAILROAD CROSSING TO BAGLEY RD. Road Rehabilitation
ISABELLA M-20 US-127 BUSINESS ROUTE (MISSION ST) TO US-127 Reconstruction
KALAMAZOO I-94 EAST OF LOVERS LANE TO EAST OF PORTAGE ROAD Major Widening
KALAMAZOO I-94 PORTAGE ROAD TO SPRINKLE ROAD Major Widening
MENOMINEE US-41 FROM MENOMINEE TO WALLACE Road Rehabilitation
ROSCOMMON I-75 N MAPLE VALLEY ROAD TO 9 MILE HILL ROAD Road Rehabilitation
ROSCOMMON US-127 SB US-127 BUSINESS ROUTE TO RIVER ROAD Road Rehabilitation
SAGINAW I-75 2 BRIDGES IN SAGINAW COUNTY Reconstruction
SAGINAW M-46 2 BRIDGES IN SAGINAW COUNTY Bridge Replacement
SAGINAW US-127 N HESS TO SOUTH I-675 INTERCHANGE Road Rehabilitation
ST. CLAIR I-69 EB COX DOTY DRAIN TO M-19 Reconstruction
ST. CLAIR I-69 W M-19 TO TAYLOR ROAD Road Rehabilitation
VAN BUREN I-94 E WEST OF M-51 TO 40TH STREET Road Rehabilitation
Source: MDOT
Despite additional transportation funding provided by the 2015 legislation, numerous needed
transportation projects in Michigan remain unfunded. The list below details projects in Michigan's major
urban areas and throughout the state that lack adequate funding to proceed.
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 28
Lansing Area
County Route Location Improvement
CLINTON I-69 Airport Road to US-127 Reconstruct
CLINTON I-69 US-127 to Shiawasse county line Reconstruct
EATON I-69 Island Highway to Vermontville Highway Reconstruct
EATON I-69 Vermontville Hwy to I-96 Reconstruct
HILLSDALE M-49 Village of Camden Reconstruct
HILLSDALE/LENAWEEUS-127 CHURCH RD TO US-223, HILLSDALE AND LENAWEE CO Rehabilitation
INGHAM I-496 Lansing Road to the Grand River Reconstruct
INGHAM US-127 Jackson co line to Barnes Reconstruction
INGHAM US-127 I-96 to I-496 third lane Reconstruct
INGHAM US-127 12 Bridges on US-127 Reconstruct
JACKSON I-94 west ave interchange Reconstruct
JACKSON I-94 County line to Michigan Ave Reconstruct
JACKSON I-94BL MICHIGAN AVE, DWIGHT ST TO BENDER ST, JACKSON Rehabilitation
LENAWEE M-34 Hazen Creek to M-52 Rehabilitation
LENAWEE M-50 Sunset to River Raisin in Tecumseh Reconstruct
LENAWEE US-223 Rome Road to Industrial Drive Rehabilitation
LIVINGSTON I-96 BL National to I-96 Rehabilitation
LIVINGSTON M-59 East City Limits of Howell to Old US-23 Reconstruct
LIVINGSTON US-23 M-36 interchange Reconstruction
LIVINGSTON US-23 M-36 to I-96 Rehabilitation
MONROE US-23 School to Ida Center Reconstruct
WASHTENAW I-94 Freer to Parker Rehabilitation
WASHTENAW I-94 Parker to M-14 Rehabilitation
WASHTENAW I-94 US-23 to Wayne co line Rehabilitation
WASHTENAW I-94 11 Bridge on/over I-94 Reconstruct/CPM
WASHTENAW I-94 M-14 to US-23 Reconstruct
WASHTENAW I-94 12 Bridges on/over I-94 Reconstruct
WASHTENAW I-94 BL US-23 BR to Carpenter Road Rehabilitation
WASHTENAW M-14 I-94 to US-23 Reconstruct
WASHTENAW US-12 Maple Street to I-94 Rehabilitation
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 30
Michigan Statewide
County Route Location Improvement
ALPENA US-23 Hamilton Road to the N. Alpena Co. Line Reconstruction
ANTRIM US-131 Elder Rd to Alba Rd Reconstruction
ARENAC US-23 Standish south CL to Grove Str Reconstruct
BAY US-10 WB Midland/Bay COL to 7 Mile Road Reconstruct
BENZIE US-31 East of Honor from Goose Rd to Reynolds Rd Rehabilitation
BERRIEN I-94BL Glenlord Rd to M-63 Rehabilitation
BERRIEN M-139 I-94 to I-94BL Rehabilitation
BERRIEN M-63 City of St. Joseph Reconstruction
BERRIEN M-63 St. Joseph River to I-196 Rehabilitation
BERRIEN US-12 Galien River to Dayton Lake Rehabilitation
BERRIEN US-12 Mayflower Road to Barron Lake Road Rehabilitation
BRANCH M-66 M-60 to D Drive S Rehabilitation
BRANCH US-12 Michigan Avenue to Willowbrook Road Reconstruction
CALHOUN I-94 M-311 to Old 27 Rehabilitation
CALHOUN M-311 M-60 to M-96 Rehabilitation
CALHOUN M-60 Homer to Jackson County Rehabilitation
CASS M-60 Barron Lake Road to Vandalia Rehabilitation
CASS M-62 Eau Claire to Dowagiac Rehabilitation
CASS M-62 Indiana State Line to Cassopolis Rehabilitation
CASS M-62 US-12 to M-60 Rehabilitation
CHEBOYGAN US-23 Mill Creek Discovery Park Drive to Nipigon Rd Reconstruction
CLARE US-127 US-10 BR to US-10 Rehabilitation
CLARE US-127 over US-127 Business Route and M-61 Reconstruct
CLARE US-127 Long Lake Rd north to Clare/Roscommon COL Rehabilitation
DELTA US-2 Hyde to Escanaba Reconstruct
DELTA US-2 N. 30th Street to Danforth Rd Reconstruct
DICKINSON US-2 US-141 south Jct to C St Norway Reconstruct
DICKINSON US-2 Michigan Ave to US-141 south junction in Iron Mountain Reconstruct
EMMET M-68 Crooked River Bridge to King Rd Rehabilitation
EMMET US-131 Bear River Road to Lears Road Reconstruction
EMMET US-31 Graham Rd to Blumke Rd Rehabilitation
EMMET US-31 Division Road to Graham Road Reconstruction
GENESEE I-475 Flint River to Carpenter Rd, Flint Reconstruct
GENESEE I-475 6 Bridges on I-475, Flint Reconstruct
GENESEE I-475 Bristol Rd to Thread Creek, Flint Reconstruct
GENESEE I-75 Court Street north to I-475 north JCT Reconstruct
GENESEE I-75 10 Bridges on/over I-75, Flint Reconstruct/CPM
GENESEE I-75 Oakland / Genesee COL to US-23 Rehabilitation
GENESEE M-21 Thayer St to Cesar Chavez Dr, Flint Reconstruct
GENESEE M-21 Morrish Road to I-75 Rehabilitation
GENESEE M-54 Hemphill to Atherton, Leith to Stuart Rehabilitation
GENESEE M-54 3 Bridges on M-54 Reconstruct
GRAND TRAVERSE US-31 Benzie/GT Cnty Line to M-37 (Chums) Reconstruction
GRATIOT M-46 Montcalm COL to US-127 BR Rehabilitation
GRATIOT US-127 US-127/M-46 interchange area Reconstruct
GRATIOT US-127 3 Bridges US-127/M-46 interchange area Reconstruct
GRATIOT US-127 Clinton/Gratiot COL to M-57 Rehabilitation
IOSCO US-23 Iosco S. Co. Line to Townline Road Reconstruction
IOSCO US-23 Tawas River to Tawas Beach Road Reconstruction
KALAMAZOO I-94 40th Street (Exit 88) to 6 1/2 mile road Rehabilitation
KALAMAZOO I-94BL M-96 to I-94 Rehabilitation
KALAMAZOO M-89 M-43/M-89 Intersection to the Kalamzoo/Calhoun Co. Line Rehabilitation
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 31
Investment in Michigan’s roads, highways and bridges is funded by local, state and federal
governments. A lack of sufficient funding at all levels will make it difficult to adequately maintain and
The federal government is a critical source of funding for Michigan’s roads, highways, bridges and
transit systems and provides a significant return to Michigan in road and bridge funding based on the
Most federal funds for highway and transit improvements in Michigan are provided by federal
highway user fees, largely an 18.4 cents-per-gallon tax on gasoline and a 24.4 cents-per-gallon tax on diesel
fuel. Since 2008 revenue into the federal Highway Trust Fund has been inadequate to support legislatively
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 32
current revenues.
with greater funding certainty and streamlines the federal project approval process. But, the FAST Act does
not provide adequate funding to meet the nation’s need for highway and transit improvements and does
The five-year, $305 billion FAST Act will provide a boost of approximately 15 percent in highway
funding and 18 percent in transit funding over the duration of the program, which expires in 2020. 29 In
addition to federal motor fuel tax revenues, the FAST Act will also be funded by $70 billion in U.S. general
funds, which will rely on offsets from several unrelated federal programs including the Strategic Petroleum
According to the 2015 Status of the Nation’s Highways, Bridges and Transit: Conditions and
Performance report submitted by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to Congress, the
nation faces an $836 billion backlog in needed repairs and improvements to the nation’s roads, highways
and bridges. 30 The USDOT report found that the nation’s current $105 billion investment in roads, highways
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 33
and bridges by all levels of government should be increased by 35 percent to $142.5 billion annually to
improve the conditions of roads, highways and bridges, relieve traffic congestion and improve traffic safety.
Today’s culture of business demands that an area have well-maintained and efficient roads, highways
and bridges if it is to remain economically competitive. Global communications and the impact of free trade
in North America and elsewhere have resulted in a significant increase in freight movement, making the
quality of a region’s transportation system a key component in a business’s ability to compete locally,
Businesses have responded to improved communications and the need to cut costs with a variety of
innovations including just-in-time delivery, increased small package delivery, demand-side inventory
management and e-commerce. The result of these changes has been a significant improvement in logistics
efficiency as firms move from a push-style distribution system, which relies on large-scale warehousing of
materials, to a pull-style distribution system, which relies on smaller, more strategic movement of goods.
These improvements have made mobile inventories the norm, resulting in the nation’s trucks literally
Highways are vitally important to continued economic development in Michigan, particularly to the
state’s manufacturing, agriculture and tourism industries. As the economy expands, creating more jobs and
increasing consumer confidence, the demand for consumer and business products grows. In turn,
manufacturers ship greater quantities of goods to market to meet this demand, a process that adds to truck
sectors of the state economy, earning these workers approximately $4.1 billion annually. 33 These jobs
include 46,881 full-time jobs directly involved in transportation infrastructure construction and related
activities as well as 47,226 full-time jobs as a result of spending by employees and companies in the
Transportation construction in Michigan annually contributes an estimated $741 million in state and
local income, corporate and unemployment insurance taxes and the federal payroll tax.
Approximately 1.9 million full-time jobs in Michigan in key industries like tourism, retail sales,
agriculture and manufacturing are dependent on the quality, safety and reliability of the state’s
transportation infrastructure network. These workers earn $77 billion in wages and contribute an estimated
$14 billion in state and local income, corporate and unemployment insurance taxes, and the federal payroll
tax. 35
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 35
The cost of road and bridge improvements are more than offset by the reduction of user costs
associated with driving on rough roads, the improvement in business productivity, the reduction in delays
Local, regional and state economic performance is improved when a region’s surface transportation
system is expanded or repaired. This improvement comes as a result of the initial job creation and increased
employment created over the long-term because of improved access, reduced transport costs and improved
safety.
Increasingly, companies are looking at the quality of a region’s transportation system when deciding
where to re-locate or expand. Regions with congested or poorly maintained roads may see businesses
relocate to areas with a smoother, more efficient and more modern transportation system. Highway
accessibility was ranked the number one site selection factor in a 2017 survey of corporate executives by
Area Development Magazine. Labor costs and the availability of skilled labor, which are both impacted by a
Conclusion
As Michigan works to continue its economic recovery and build a thriving, growing and dynamic
state, it will be critical that the state is able to address its most significant transportation issues by providing
a well-maintained 21st century network of roads, highways, bridges and transit that can accommodate the
Michigan will need to modernize its surface transportation system by improving the physical
condition of its transportation network and enhancing the system’s ability to provide efficient, safe and
reliable mobility for residents, visitors and businesses. Making needed improvements to the state’s roads,
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 36
highways, bridges and transit systems could provide a significant boost to the economy by creating jobs in
the short term and stimulating long-term economic growth as a result of enhanced mobility and access.
While the funding increase provided in 2015 will be helpful, Michigan still faces significant challenges
in improving the condition of its roads and bridges and numerous projects to improve the condition and
expand the capacity of Michigan’s roads, highways, bridges and transit systems will not be able to proceed
without a substantial boost in state or local transportation funding. If Michigan is unable to complete
needed transportation projects it will hamper the state’s ability to improve the condition and efficiency of its
###
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 37
ENDNOTES
1
Michigan Department of Community Health, 2016. http://www.mdch.state.mi.us. U.S. Census data, 2018.
2
Ibid
3
Highway Statistics (2017). Federal Highway Administration. DL-1C
4
TRIP analysis of Bureau of Economic Analysis data.
5
U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration: Highway
Statistics 2013 and 2017.
6
TRIP estimate based on analysis of FHWA and U.S. Census data.
7
Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council (2018). Michigan’s Roads and Bridges Annual Report.
8
Ibid.
9
Federal Highway Administration (2019). 2017 Highway Statistics.
10
Selecting a Preventative Maintenance Treatment for Flexible Pavements. R. Hicks, J. Moulthrop. Transportation
Research Board. 1999. Figure 1.
11
Pavement Maintenance, by David P. Orr, PE Senior Engineer, Cornell Local Roads Program, March 2006.
12
TRIP calculation.
13
Highway Development and Management: Volume Seven. Modeling Road User and Environmental Effects in HDM-4.
Bennett, C. and Greenwood, I. 2000.
14
Your Driving Costs. American Automobile Association. 2018.
15
Federal Highway Administration, National Bridge Inventory. Data is for 2017. (2018).
16
Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council (2018). Michigan’s Roads and Bridges Annual Report.
17
Federal Highway Administration (2017). Bridge Replacement Unit Costs
2016. https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/nbi/sd2016.cfm TRIP estimate is based on ¾ of structurally deficient bridges
being rehabilitated and ¼ being replaced.
18
TRIP analysis of Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory data for 2017 (2018).
19
TRIP analysis of FHWA National Bridge Inventory data https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/nbi.cfm
20
Federal Highway Administration National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2013-2017.
21
TRIP analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Federal Highway Administration data (2018).
22
Ibid.
23
Adding Highway Shoulders, Width, Reduce Crash Numbers and Save Lives (August 9, 2012). Texas Transportation
Institute.
24
Ibid.
25
Michigan Department of Transportation (2018). Response to TRIP survey.
26
Ibid.
27
Ibid.
28
“Surface Transportation Reauthorization and the Solvency of the Highway Trust Fund,” presentation by Jim Tymon,
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (2014).
29
2015 “Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act.” (2015) American Road and Transportation Builders Association.
http://www.artba.org/newsline/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ANALYSIS-FINAL.pdf
30
United States Department of Transportation (2015). 2015 Status of the Nation’s Highways, Bridges, and Transit:
Conditions and Performance. Executive Summary, Chapter 8. https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/2015cpr/es.cfm#8h
31
TRIP analysis of Bureau of Transportation Statistics, U.S. Department of
Transportation (2018). Freight Analysis Framework Version 4. https://faf.ornl.gov/fafweb/
32
Ibid.
33
American Road & Transportation Builders Association (2015). The 2015 U.S. Transportation Construction Industry
Profile. https://www.transportationcreatesjobs.org/pdf/Economic_Profile.pdf
34
Ibid.
35
Ibid.
Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System 38
36
Area Development Magazine (2018). 32nd Annual Survey of Corporate Executives: Availability of Skilled Labor New
Top Priority. http://www.areadevelopment.com/Corporate-Consultants-Survey-Results/Q1-2018/32nd-annual-
corporate-survey-14th-annual-consultants-survey.shtml