Drive MI Reports

New Statewide Billboard Calls for Action
Tuesday, March 18, 2008

The Michigan Transportation Team (MTT) says now is the time for the public to call on legislators to fix the pothole in state transportation funding. Billboards will soon be displayed statewide as part of a media campaign to draw attention to Michigan's transportation funding crisis. The message on the billboards says: "Tired of Bad Roads? Call Your Legislator." The photos behind the words are traffic congestion and potholes.

Six Reasons State Policymakers Must Fix Transportation Fuding in 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008

A new publication, "Six Reasons State Policymakers Must Fix Transportation Funding in 2008," will be distributed this spring to state legislators.

The key reasons are: Michigan's Transportation Funding System Has Collapsed, The State's Roads and Bridges are Crumbling and Getting Worse, Congestion is Worsening in Urban and Developing Areas, Over 400 Lives Are Being Lost Each Year, Michigan Will Lose Even More Federal Dollars, and Michgian is Losing 12,255 Jobs by 2009.

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(file size: 1.93mb)

National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission Releases Report
Friday, February 1, 2008

Transportation for Tomorrow: Report of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, prepared by a specially convened Commission, meets the charge given under Section 1909 of the Safe Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The Report includes detailed recommendations for creating and sustaining a pre-eminent surface transportation system in the United States.

To view the report, visit http://www.transportationfortomorrow.org/final_report/.

Michigan Road and Bridge Program Plummets 18 Percent
Wednesday, November 28, 2007

This flyer was distributed in November to the Michigan Legislature.

According to the most recent Transportation budget approved by the Legislature, Michigan's road and bridge program will drop by $300 million (18 percent) this year.

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(file size: 792k)

Michigan Job Losses
Monday, October 29, 2007

This flyer was distributed recently to Michigan legislators to highlight job losses that Michigan is facing due to reduced transportation funding.

The contents of the flyer were discussed at a well-attended press conference October 17 at the state Capitol. The press conference included visual displays that caught the media's attention.

The goal of the press conference was to remind legislators to "Fix Our Roads; Fix Our Economy" by supporting House Bills 4575-4577. The bills provide additional transportation funding for Michigan's roads and bridges.

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(file size: 260k)

Think Michigan's Roads and Bridges are Bad Now???
Sunday, October 28, 2007

Michigan legislators received this flyer recently to show them how MIchigan's funding for road and bridges is expected to drop 40 percent over the next two years.

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(file size: 202k)

DId You Know... There are 200 Bridges on the State's Critical List
Saturday, October 27, 2007

Legislators received this flyer several months ago to remind them that one in every six of the state's critical bridges is not scheduled for any work in the next five years due to a lack of funds.

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(file size: 2.51mb)

Ever Wonder Why Michigan's Roads are So Bad?
Friday, October 26, 2007

Earlier this year legislators received this flyer, which shows where Michigan ranks in state spending per capita on highways.

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(file size: 3.07mb)

Congestion Stifling the Economy
Tuesday, October 2, 2007

The Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) at Texas A&M University recently released a report detailing the cost of wasted time and fuel in the 85 largest urban areas. The report finds that Americans wasted a record-high $78.2 billion sitting in traffic congestion in 2005. 2.9 billion gallons of fuel, and 4.2 billion hours of time were wasted in congestion.

The TTI report is more bad news for American motorists, who are already acutely concerned about the safety of American aging bridge and highway infrastructure.

You can download the complete report by clicking on the link below.

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(file size: 767k)

Facing the Music
Thursday, September 27, 2007

Fearing that the message that Michigan is sinking deeper and deeper into a road funding crisis is falling on deaf ears, the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) has taken the unprecedented step of publishing a colorful, eye-catching 10-page brochure summarizing the outcome of its 2007 Strategic Planning process, entitled "Facing the Music."

The brochure, published in September, summarizes the feedback the agency received through individual meetings with the leaders of virtually every community in the county, as well as the information RCOC shared with the communities. The 2007 Strategic Planning process was the 11th time the agency has undertaken this biennial process.

"The problem of under-funded roads in Michigan is becoming extremely critical. We see that daily and we heard it repeatedly from community officials during our 2007 Strategic Planning meetings," explained RCOC Managing Director Brent Bair.

"Because of this, we concluded that the situation called for something different than we've done before. We think this new brochure is a more interesting, eye-catching way of conveying the seriousness of the situation. We didn't want the message to get lost in a traditional report."

Among the findings listed in the brochure is the conclusion that improvements needed on RCOC roads over the next 10 years would cost more than $2.1 billion -- far more than the funding RCOC expects to have available during this period. This figure does not include needs on city and village streets or state highways.

Copies of “Facing the Music” were provided to each Oakland County community’s mayor/manager or supervisor; the city/village council or township board; the planning commission; police department; school district; and library. It was also provided to all county commissioners and state legislators representing the county.

A number of communities have requested additional copies, which can be obtained by calling RCOC's Planning and Development Dept. at (248) 645-2000, ext. 2210.

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(file size: 1.82mb)

MDOT Highway Program Brings Economic Benefits to State
Monday, July 16, 2007

A recently released report documents that the Michigan Department of Transportation's road and bridge program is worth millions of dollars in jobs and economic benefits to Michigan. The study found that MDOT's 2007-11 Highway Program will create 23,034 Michigan jobs in 2007, and will amount to $28.3 million of travel time savings for households and $7.1 million in travel time savings for businesses, which represents a reduced cost of doing business including truck-transported freight and employee commuter times. These savings will generate $1.4 billion in Gross State Product and create $1 billion in real personal income. The economic benefits analysis was completed by the University of Michigan's Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations with assistance from the Economic Development Research Group, Inc.

State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle said the results of the economic benefits analysis validated the department's belief that good roads lead to good jobs.

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(file size: 913k)

$318 per Motorist
Thursday, June 21, 2007

Here is an ad that has been distributed to Michigan legislators to highlight the impact of our state's deteriorating transportation system.

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(file size: 602k)

Michigan Gas Tax Revenues Have Lost Their Power
Wednesday, June 20, 2007

This ad was distributed recently to Michigan legislators to remind them that Michigan gasoline tax revenues have lost 42 percent of their purchasing power since they were last raised in 1997.

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(file size: 277k)

Transportation Reform Ideas
Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Road Funding Policy/Reform Ideas

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(file size: 110k)

Don't Look Up
Tuesday, June 19, 2007

If you haven't guessed, this legislative ad is about Michigan's deteriorating bridges.

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(file size: 279k)

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

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, according to a new report released May 24 by TRIP, a national transportation nonprofit research organization based in Washington, D.C. The report estimates that the average cost of inadequate roadways is $1,671 annually per driver in the Detroit metro area, $1,085 annually per driver in the Grand Rapids area, $866 annually per driver in the Lansing area, and $785 per urban driver living elsewhere in the state.

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(file size: 541k)

MDOT Report Highlights Revenue Gap
Wednesday, May 16, 2007

MDOT has released a report entitled: "Revenue Gap and Investments Packages Report."

Further reports are available on the MDOT website.

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(file size: 1.38mb)

Benchmarking for Success: A Comparison of State Infrastructure
Thursday, May 3, 2007

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(file size: 505k)

House Transportation Committee Hears from Construction Industry
Tuesday, April 17, 2007

On April 11, 2007 the House Transportation Committee, under the leadership of Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor), held the final 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 a consistent message that transportation funding must be increased to improve and maintain our crumbling system, and to spur our economy.

The committee heard from the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association (MITA), the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC), Ajax Paving Industries, Inc., and Slagter Construction Company.

“Legislators heard today from the owners of companies who are well aware of the fact that there is not enough available transportation funding in Michigan,” said Mike Nystrom, vice president of government and public relations for MITA and co-chair of the Michigan Transportation Team. “The sky is falling, literally, on Michigan’s transportation system. Roads are deteriorating, bridges are raining cement, we don’t have enough funds to fix them, and the situation is only going to get worse.”

Construction companies in Michigan have fallen on hard economic times as the cost of construction has increased while transportation revenues continue to decline — forcing some companies to look to other states for work.

“There is a significant difference between funding in Michigan and other states that we work in,” said Mark Johnston, president, Ajax Paving Industries, Inc., headquartered in Troy. “To ensure a good economy, you need good infrastructure -- roads, bridges and water systems. Other states are ahead of us in how they fund their infrastructure."

Without investing in our infrastructure, the economy in Michigan will continue to decline, said Brian Slagter, president, Slagter Construction Company of Wayland. Investment in our infrastructure also serves an important economic purpose to keep quality workers in Michigan, he said.

“Investment in our transportation system will improve our economy,” said Ronald W. Brenke, P.E., executive director, ACEC of Michigan. “More people will return to work, we will retain our ‘best and brightest’ individuals, and the motoring public will spend less time stuck in traffic and have safer roads to travel on.”

April 11th was the last of three hearings, culminating a year-long statewide effort by the Michigan Transportation Team, which has included statewide road and bridge condition reports, public opinion surveys and focus groups, a Web site , postcards to legislators, a radio/billboard advertising campaign, and currently a pothole contest . The overall message of the transportation funding campaign, known as DriveMI , has been “Don’t Forget Our Roads.” The point of the campaign is to remind legislators that there is more work to be done besides the budget and Single Business Tax replacement during this legislative session.

MTT is a broad-based, bi-partisan partnership of business, labor, local government, associations and citizens linked 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.

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(file size: 1.03mb)

Click on the 'download a copy of this report' to download the Power Point Presentation pdf that was shown to the House Transportation Committee.

Mackinac Center Report: Michigan's Road System Needs Both Reforms and Dollars
Monday, April 16, 2007

A report released April 16 by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy supports efforts to increase state transportation system funding. Without significant funding reforms, the condition of state, county and local roads in Michigan will deteriorate significantly over the next decade, while congestion levels will reach levels that will harm economic development prospects, according to the study written by John C. Taylor, Ph.D.

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(file size: 1.36mb)

State Fuel Tax Rates
Friday, April 13, 2007

Please find attached an analysis of state by state fuel tax rates from around the country .

It is interesting to note the various details within the information, including:

30 states have a higher regular fuel tax rate than Michigan;

43 states have a higher diesel fuel tax rate, including 4 that are more than double;

11 states have local option gas taxes;

Only 6 other states charge sales tax on their fuel;

Numerous other notable options.

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(file size: 65k)

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

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,” the report examines how this funding shortage is affecting traffic levels, deteriorating roadways and even staffing issues for county and city governments around Michigan.

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(file size: 595k)

The Word on the Streets
Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Excerpts from newspaper editorials and clips of headlines are part of this new flyer issued by the DriveMI campaign.

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(file size: 3.20mb)

$1 Billion Invested in Roads Annually Means...
Tuesday, December 12, 2006

A new flyer produced by the DriveMI campaign outlines what $1 biillion invested in roads annually would mean to the Michigan.

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(file size: 1.01mb)

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

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 from the past several years. It also notes that a shrinking pool of transportation dollars will continue to affect these numbers. The report was released today by the Michigan Transportation Team (MTT), a partnership of businesses, associations and citizens linked with the common goal of improving Michigan’s transportation infrastructure.

To read the report, click the link below.

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(file size: 264k)

Dollars in Motion
Thursday, September 14, 2006

There is one proven method that Michigan can utilize to provide economic stability to the state – investing in transportation. A well-maintained and expanded transportation system creates and sustains thousands of jobs in all employment sectors. It saves money for individuals and businesses by reducing congestion and keeping costs reasonable. Most importantly, improving and expanding roads and bridges saves lives.

The following detailed report highlights the impact of the transportation industry on Michigan's economy.

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(file size: 300k)

The Interstate Highway System in Michigan: Saving Lives, Time and Money
Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Michigan's 50-year-old interstate highway system remains a critical link in the state's transportation system. It saves each Michigan resident more than $2,700 annually in safety benefits, saved time, reduced fuel and lower consumer costs.

However, the benefits of the interstate system may erode in the future unless the state can fund needed interstate repairs and improvements, according to a report released June 27 by The Road Information Program (TRIP) at a press conference in Lansing.

Click on the link below to read the entire report.

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(file size: 280k)

Michigan Highway Ends Web site
Thursday, June 22, 2006

The following Web site showcases the endpoints of the many state routes that dot the landscape of the Wolverine State, past and present.

To view this Web site click here.

All You Need to Know About Michigan Roads
Friday, June 16, 2006

This flyer is a quick look at key issues affecting Michigan's transportation system.

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(file size: 693k)

Michigan Transportation Facts
Monday, June 5, 2006

Michigan’s transportation network is at a critical point. System needs are growing but funding is unable to keep pace. As a result, the state is losing mobility, losing jobs, and tragically, losing lives. The time has come to address these issues and develop a stable, adequate and long-term funding solution that will make our transportation infrastructure a vital consistent component in the state’s economic recovery.

The following report highlights the problem and suggests solutions.

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(file size: 283k)

Breaking down Michigan's 19 cents state gasoline tax
Monday, June 5, 2006

The following chart explains how all gas tax monies , which are appropriated to the Michigan Transportation Fund, are then distributed for road and bridge projects. It also highlights how Michigan's 19 cents per gallon gas tax is the second lowest rate among neighboring states.

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(file size: 592k)

2004 Michigan TRIP Report
Wednesday, May 3, 2006

Michigan's Transportation System:

Achievements and challenges faced in improving road and bridge conditions, relieving traffic congestion, and supporting economic growth

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(file size: 126k)

Economic Benefits of MDOT's Highway Program
Wednesday, March 1, 2006

An economic benefit analysis of MDOT's current Five-Year Highway Program.

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(file size: 583k)

Detroit Metro Area Report Card
Monday, February 27, 2006

Detroit received the following grades from TRIP.

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(file size: 38k)

Grand Rapids Report Card
Monday, February 27, 2006

Grand Rapids received the following grades from TRIP.

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(file size: 37k)

Making The Grade In Michigan - 2006 TRIP Report
Monday, February 27, 2006

An analysis of the ability of Michigan's transportation system to meet the state's need for safe and efficient mobility.

Michigan’s extensive system of roads and bridges provides the state’s 10.1 million
residents and its visitors with a high level of mobility. As the backbone of Michigan’s surface transportation system, roads and bridges play a central role in the state’s economy. Michigan’s extensive highway transportation system enables the state’s residents and visitors to go to work, visit family and friends, move goods to market, and frequent tourist attractions.

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(file size: 55k)

Lansing Report Card
Monday, February 27, 2006

Lansing received the following grade from TRIP.

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(file size: 36k)