Let's talk about how the roads around here are PISS POOR, and an embarassment.

[erikd]

New infrastructure is paid by new users. If a developer builds a subdivision in some random exurban township, the developer and homebuyers are paying the costs of utilities, water, roads and the like.

You basically can't buy in a new subdivision without separate bill for associated infrastructure, at least for the first few years.

So, no, the roads in Redford Township aren't crappy because they're building new roads in Milford Township or wherever.

The developers and homebuyers of these new developments are paying for SOME of the initial construction costs of the additional infrastructure, not all of it.

However, the initial construction of the expanded infrastructure is only part of the overall cost. After the additional new infrastructure is built, there is just that much more infrastructure to maintain and pay for. This would be ok if there was an increase in population to pay for it, but that hasn't been the case in metro Detroit for the last 50 years.

The overall deterioration of the infrastructure in metro Detroit is due to a number of factors. However, the rampant expansion of infrastructure, in the face of declining population, is one of the primary reasons [[if not THE primary reason) for the current situation.