On Thursday, the legislature passed necessary legislation to allow Michigan to receive and spend dollars contained in the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for highway and bridge projects.

It was encouraging to see the legislature act quickly to allow the dollars to start flowing. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has been working overtime to select the projects and ensure a fair distribution across the state. Director Steudle and his staff are to be commended for their diligence in preparing projects for letting.

It was interesting watching legislators reviewing project lists and lobbying for transportation projects in their districts. Why then can't they act to ensure long-term funding for our transportation infrastructure? The one-time Federal stimulus dollars do very little to change the trend of declining pavement conditions. The Transportation Funding Task Force Report delivered in November 2008 to the legislature is sitting somewhere on the shelf as our roads continue to deteriorate. Here we are approaching April and no bill has been introduced.

Legislators have to understand that investment in Michigan's infrastructure will help to put people back to work, attract and keep business in Michigan, and keep us from losing billions in Federal dollars.

For more information Contact: Ron Brenke