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Driver hurt by concrete chunk. It fell from a bridge Michigan deemed safe.
Michigan has more than 447 bridges that are in rough shape. The piece of concrete that fell and injured a driver in Lansing on Thursday wasn’t one of them, compounding fears of crumbling infrastructure.
Opinion | Michigan, let’s make a road finance movie
There is a legitimate role for bond financing in road construction and maintenance, but that is to accelerate construction, not as a source of funding. Without a new revenue stream to finance the debt, the state would only be borrowing against future revenue, the guest author writes.
Michigan roads are infamously bad. But sewers and dams are in rough shape too
Even with new funding to pay for roads, Michigan’s infrastructure is aging rapidly. Solutions are not only expensive but politically divisive in an era of divided government.
Fact Squad | Dueling ads take on Gov. Whitmer and those damn Michigan roads
Is Gretchen Whitmer a hero for borrowing billions to fix highways or has she already broken a central campaign promise? Michigan Fact Squad investigates ads reaching opposite conclusions on the governor.
Michigan OKs $3.5B in roads spending. Much of it is going to Metro Detroit.
One day after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced she will borrow money for roads fixes, a state commission approves the measure that will send 40 percent of projects to southeast Michigan.
Highways win, local streets left ‘in the dust’ by Whitmer’s $3.5B roads plan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's new plan to "fix the damn roads" by issuing $3.5 billion in bonds would help rebuild Michigan highways without a tax increase but saddle the state with decades of new debt.
Frustrated Gov. Whitmer vows no more ‘games’ with GOP on fixing Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, in her second State of the State, says she’ll work around recalcitrant Republicans to fix roads, maintain Affordable Care Act protections and ensure students don’t repeat the third grade because of the reading law.
Michigan may study whether tolls are solution to state’s awful roads
Plenty of obstacles remain, but the Michigan Senate wants to study whether tolls could help fix roads. The proposal comes as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to announce her new plans for road repairs.
Michigan voters: Roads stink, but don’t ask us to pay for fixes
Michigan voters say roads are getting worse, but they aren’t ready to open their checkbooks to fix them, according to a new statewide poll that points to distrust in state government.
Crashes, injuries spike after Michigan boosts freeway speed limits to 75 mph
More drivers are going over 80 mph – and crashing – since Michigan raised speed limits to 75 mph on rural freeways in 2017. But backers say worst fears about new limits haven’t materialized.
New year, old problems: Six issues Michigan leaders vow to tackle in 2020
As they return to Lansing this week, Michigan’s leaders are faced with tough questions on how to improve roads, education, skilled trades and more.
Michigan’s roads have turned to crap. So has a strike among road builders.
A months-long union worker strike at one of Michigan’s largest road building firms has delayed some pavement projects and shows no signs of letting up as the summer construction season nears an end.
Opinion | Is it time to increase taxes in Michigan?
If Michiganders want quality services, higher taxes seem appropriate and perhaps necessary, writes a Michigan State University professor of economics.
Hate Michigan roads? Your neighbors’ may be way better. (with database)
Yes, Michigan has bad roads, but their quality varies widely throughout the state, according to 2018 rankings of road conditions, which may inform lawmakers’ debate about whether to raise taxes for upgrades.
Michigan’s Republican Legislature sends budgets to Whitmer — vetoes expected
A one-time road funding increase and cuts to the Secretary of State’s office are among the Republican budget decisions that Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has strongly opposed, and may veto.
Michigan Legislature, Gov. Whitmer head for showdown on roads, redistricting
Republican-led House and Senate committees approve road funding at levels well below what Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has demanded. Constraints placed on Secretary of State and Attorney General offices may also draw pushback from the governor.
Michigan budget negotiations break down (again) over short-term road funding
GOP leaders want to include $500 million in road funding in the budget. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other Democrats say that may get in the way of a long-term deal to commit $2.5 billion a year that’s needed for roads.
Whitmer agrees to delay road funding talks to finish Michigan budget
The surprising announcement marks a change for Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who previously vowed to veto any Republican budget plan without roads funding. The change seems intended to prevent a government shutdown on Oct. 1.
Whitmer, GOP must solve these 5 disagreements to pass Michigan budget
The Oct. 1 deadline for Michigan lawmakers to pass the $60 billion budget is near. Roads talks have been postponed, but there are more disagreements to solve.
Michigan Republicans push budget without road deal, a likely no-go for Whitmer
As a government shutdown looms, GOP leaders will begin vetting a budget plan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer hasn’t signed off on. The two sides are far apart on roads and infrastructure funding and on whether to raise taxes for the effort.