Funding issues have caused 200+ road projects to be put on hold in Michigan.

There is this report from the Associated Press:

"The state stands to go from spending roughly $1.4 billion on roads this year with the help of federal stimulus money to around $600 million three out of the next four years if it fails to raise enough of its own money to qualify for more federal funds.

That means it no longer will be able to afford hundreds of road and bridge construction projects it had included in its 2010-2014 five-year plan. One-third of Michigan roads were in poor condition in 2008, based on the Michigan Asset Management Council Annual Report of Roads and Bridges."

And this report from the Detroit News:

"The Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association called for more funding for roads.

"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.

The 243 canceled projects include work on 128 bridges and 105 roads, and plans for eight new roads and two expansion projects."

To read the full AP article with an interview with Denise Jackson, the Michigan Department of Transportation's statewide planning administrator, click here.
To read the full Detroit News report with reaction from Michigan residents, click here.

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Photo: Mayfield Pond by HappyHiker4.