MICHIGAN TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS UNDERWAY DUE TO INCREASED FUNDING, BUT ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT NEEDED TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS AND SUPPORT ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND GROWTH
Local speakers join national research group in review of Michigan
road & bridge conditions, congestion, safety & funding needs
WHEN: Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. EDT
WHERE:
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
250 Monroe Avenue, Suite 150
Grand Rapids, Michigan
WHAT:
While increased transportation funding provided by Michigan’s 2015 road funding package has allowed many projects to proceed in Grand Rapids and throughout the state, additional investment is still needed to complete numerous projects throughout Michigan that would improve road and bridge conditions, and enhance safety and efficiency. This is according to a new report from TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit based in Washington, DC. Local speakers will join TRIP on Tuesday to present the findings of the report.
The report, Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System: Progress & Challenges in Providing Safe, Efficient and Well-Maintained Roads, Highways & Bridges, examines the impact of additional funds provided by the state’s 2015 transportation funding package. It also provides information on projects in the Grand Rapids area and statewide that still lack sufficient funding to proceed. The report includes regional pavement condition, bridge condition, safety and congestion data for the Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, Lansing, Muskegon and Saginaw-Bay City-Midland areas and calculates the cost to motorists of driving on deficient roads – which for Grand Rapids area motorists is more than $2,000 per year.
WHO:
Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, City of Grand Rapids
Josh Lunger, Director of Government Affairs, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
Steve Warren, Managing Director, Road Commission of Kent County
Past President, County Road Association of Michigan
Carolyn Bonifas Kelly, Associate Director of Research & Communication, TRIP
CONTACT:
Carolyn Bonifas Kelly (TRIP) 703.801.9212 (cell)
Rocky Moretti (TRIP) 202.262.0714 (cell)