Group Urges Raising More Money To Fix Mich. Roads

KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — One-third of Michigan roads were in poor condition in 2008, a percentage that could climb dramatically in coming years if lawmakers don't pump more money into transportation, road advocates said Monday.

The Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association put out a list of cities and counties with the largest amount of bad roads. Detroit led the list, followed by Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor.

Wayne and Oakland counties had the most miles of federally funded roads in poor condition, although their actual percentage of bad roads was in the middle of the pack at around 25 percent.

Oceana, Osceola and Calhoun counties had the largest percentage of roads in poor condition, all topping 50 percent. Genesee County had the third-largest number of miles of bad roads and the ninth-highest percentage, 45 percent.

"Michigan's local road systems are collapsing because funding continues to plummet," MITA lobbyist Mike Nystrom said in a statement. "This isn't a case of road agencies not doing their jobs."

The findings were based on the Michigan Asset Management Council Annual Report of Roads and Bridges. The council was created by lawmakers after a transportation funding report in 2000.