January 28, 2010http://detnews.com/article/20100128/METRO05/1280459Michigan cuts 243 road projects

KAREN BOUFFARD
Detroit News Lansing Bureau Lansing -- Michigan drivers will have to navigate bumpier roads in the next five years after the Michigan State Transportation Commission this morning slashed 243 road and bridge projects from the Michigan Department of Transportation's 2010-14 road program.
The commission was forced to cut the projects due to continued declines in state gas tax revenues and the state's inability to match federal dollars beginning in 2011.
The cuts were based on a one-year forecast that predicts road revenues of $1.16 billion in 2011, if the federal money is secured, down from $1.8 billion this year. Road revenue could be less than $639 million if Michigan can't come up with the match for available federal transportation dollars, according to MDOT spokesman Bill Shreck.
"Right now, without new revenue, it will be the smaller program," Shreck said.
The Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association immediately called for more investment in roads, which have suffered as gas taxes, which replenish the state Transportation Fund, have plummeted during the poor economy.
"The forecasts that have been laid out in the approved MDOT five-year program is the tragedy we've been talking about here in Michigan that should force elected officials to wake up to the needs of our transportation infrastructure," said Mike Nystrom, the group's vice president of government and public relations.
Construction projects on Interstates 96, 94, 75 and other Metro Detroit commuter routes are among hundreds to be cut or delayed by the state.
The 243 canceled projects include work on 128 bridges and 105 roads, and scuttling plans for eight new roads and two expansion projects.
Rep. Pam Byrnes, D-Chelsea, chair of the House Transportation Committee, and Rep. Richard Ball, R-Laingsburg, this week introduced a bipartisan package of bills that would restructure Michigan's motor fuel taxes to increase revenue.
The plan would increase the user fees on gas from 19 cents to 23 cents, and on diesel from 15 cents to 21 cents immediately. Taxes would be increased by an equal amount in 2013, taking both fuels to 27 cents per gallon. When fully implemented, the increases would raise as much as $480 million annually for roads, allowing Michigan to get its maximum amount of federal dollars.
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.
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