Hundreds of Mich. road projects slashed

Lansing -- Construction projects on Interstates 96, 94, 75 and other Metro Detroit commuter routes are among hundreds to be cut or delayed by the state as the sour economy empties the fund for repairs.

A five-year road and bridge program announced by the Michigan Department of Transportation last week would delay more than 100 road projects and 575 bridge projects statewide. That translates into a 60 percent decrease in road work and more than a 65 percent decrease in bridge projects. Also, more than 375 miles of road improvements would be postponed.

In response, the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association will launch today a statewide push to call the public's attention to the cuts and push for increased investment.

Metro Detroit projects placed on hold include reconstruction of I-96 from Middle Belt to Telegraph and Newburgh to Middle Belt; reconstruction of Fort from Sibley to Goddard; widening of Telegraph from Vreeland to West Road; and resurfacing of major portions of I-94 in Macomb County. It would also mean not replacing 27 bridges.

Michigan's road and bridge program is funded by the gas tax and vehicle registration fees, and those have fallen off as the state's economy has spiraled downward, said Rob Morosi, spokesman for MDOT in Metro Detroit.

"Through the downturn in the economy, and with the increase in gas prices, people aren't buying as much gas," he said. "They're also buying more fuel-efficient vehicles.

"People are holding onto their vehicles and they're not buying new cars -- and every year your registration fees go down as your vehicle ages. It's a perfect storm for the transportation fund."

The MDOT road and bridge program for 2009 totals roughly $1.8 billion, including about $470 million in federal stimulus cash. With about $148 million in stimulus money carried over, the 2010 MDOT road program will total roughly $1.4 billion.

With the loss of stimulus cash, the total will drop to about $1.14 billion in 2011. It's anticipated the state will be $84 million short in matching money, which may lead to a loss of $475 million in federal funds.

In Metro Detroit, at least 66 projects would be canceled over the 2010-14 construction seasons. During that time the state is expected to invest about $996 million in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and St. Clair counties.

Keith Ledbetter, director of legislative affairs for the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association, said Michigan's road and bridge program got a temporary reprieve from the federal stimulus cash, but the state needs a new way to fund roads in the future.

"The money that went into MDOT was specifically earmarked by Congress for roads and bridges and we've used all of it," Ledbetter said. "There's a public perception that a majority of the federal stimulus went to roads and bridges, and that's not true."