To counter the public backlash toward new taxes to fix
Michigan roads, the state highway department has created a video and fact sheet
that says it is a “myth” that our roads are poorly built and that shoddy workmanship
has led to potholes and crumbling streets.
Michigan roads, the state highway department has created a video and fact sheet
that says it is a “myth” that our roads are poorly built and that shoddy workmanship
has led to potholes and crumbling streets.
Here’ how the Michigan Department of Transportation, a in
a press release, explains why this myth has spread:
a press release, explains why this myth has spread:
“It’s easy to find examples of roads in Michigan that saw
repairs just a few years ago and are falling apart again. It’s also easy to see
why drivers and taxpayers think shoddy
repairs just a few years ago and are falling apart again. It’s also easy to see
why drivers and taxpayers think shoddy
workmanship is to blame.
“‘Due to a lack of funding in our
transportation system, MDOT and other road agencies have been struggling for
years to keep our roads from falling apart completely,’ said state Transportation
Director Kirk T. Steudle. ‘Those kinds of repairs will help us get a few more
years out of a road, but they can’t last as long as we’d like them to. Lasting
repairs cost more than we have to invest.’”
transportation system, MDOT and other road agencies have been struggling for
years to keep our roads from falling apart completely,’ said state Transportation
Director Kirk T. Steudle. ‘Those kinds of repairs will help us get a few more
years out of a road, but they can’t last as long as we’d like them to. Lasting
repairs cost more than we have to invest.’”
The video and fact sheet, Reality Check #5: Build better
roads, asserts that many road repairs fit MDOT’s budget but only
last a few years, compared to full reconstruction projects that cost much more but
hold up for decades – an average of 33 years — with regular maintenance.
roads, asserts that many road repairs fit MDOT’s budget but only
last a few years, compared to full reconstruction projects that cost much more but
hold up for decades – an average of 33 years — with regular maintenance.
Here’s
the basic premise of the fifth myth-busters campaign launched by MDOT over the
past several months:
the basic premise of the fifth myth-busters campaign launched by MDOT over the
past several months:
Myth: Michigan
needs to learn how to build roads that last. Or at least, MDOT needs to hold
contractors responsible when repairs don’t hold up.
needs to learn how to build roads that last. Or at least, MDOT needs to hold
contractors responsible when repairs don’t hold up.
Reality: Michigan has high standards and tough warranties. Other
factors are to blame for our crumbling roads.
factors are to blame for our crumbling roads.
