Citizens Research Council reveals Michigan road funding rank lags way behind amid critical national comparisons.
Michigan Road Funding – Table of Contents
Citizens Research Council Presents Groundbreaking Road Funding Index at National Conference
LIVONIA, Mich. – Michigan’s road funding challenges have gained national attention following a detailed analysis presented at the 104th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) in Washington, D.C. This landmark study, conducted by the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, places Michigan 30th nationally in road funding, spotlighting systemic issues as state leaders push to “fix the damn roads.”
Research Associate for Infrastructure Policy Eric Paul Dennis introduced the Road Funding Index, a comprehensive tool for comparing state-level road funding. The index evaluates expenditures and revenues from 2012 to 2021 across multiple metrics, including spending per mile, per capita, and per truck vehicle mile traveled (VMT). The innovative approach drew praise for its objective insights into funding disparities and efficiency.
Michigan Lags Behind Peer States in Road Funding
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Dennis’ presentation revealed that Michigan ranks 30th nationally and 7th out of 11 peer states in road funding levels. Peer states include Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, among others. While Michigan fares better in certain metrics, such as funding per truck VMT (18th nationally), it lags in others like funding per capita (39th).
“Michigan faces unique challenges, including its wet-freeze climate, historical underfunding, and the fragmented management of its road network,” Dennis explained. “These factors exacerbate the state’s road quality issues despite recent funding increases.”
The research highlights how normalized financial comparisons can yield differing results. For example:
- Michigan spent $5.9 billion on roads in 2021 compared to Ohio’s $6 billion. Yet, Michigan spent more per capita: $5,810 versus $5,098.
- When considering system mileage, Ohio outperforms Michigan in funding efficiency, emphasizing the importance of nuanced analysis.
Road Funding Efficiency and Pavement Quality
Michigan ranks 40th nationally in pavement quality, with only 25% of roads rated in good condition, despite being close to the median in funding. This gap between funding and outcomes may stem from:
- Historical Backlogs: Previous decades of underfunding have created a maintenance deficit.
- Climate Effects: Michigan’s freeze-thaw cycles lead to faster pavement deterioration.
- Unique Truck Laws: Higher allowable truck weights in Michigan impose additional strain on roadways.
Interestingly, peer states like Georgia and Indiana achieve better pavement rankings while spending less. Dennis suggests these states’ efficient asset management and centralized road systems may offer valuable lessons for Michigan policymakers.
The Road Funding Index: A New Benchmark for Policymaking
The Citizens Research Council developed the Road Funding Index to improve upon simplistic comparisons of road funding, incorporating:
- Funding Per Centerline Mile: Measures funding relative to the total road network length.
- Funding Per Lane Mile Plus Bridge Costs: Accounts for multi-lane roads and the additional expense of bridge maintenance.
- Funding Per Capita: Provides insights into how much residents contribute to road funding.
- Funding Per Truck VMT: Reflects the disproportionate pavement damage caused by heavy trucks.
This comprehensive analysis corrects for state-specific factors, such as construction costs, to estimate purchasing power. For example, while Michigan ranks 30th in road funding, the state’s high construction costs reduce its ability to maximize expenditures compared to low-cost states like Texas.
Michigan Road Funding Compared
A National Framework for Local Solutions
The Road Funding Index highlights several pitfalls in comparing state funding, such as oversimplified per-capita analyses or ignoring differences in climate, geography, and road usage. By considering a decade of data across multiple metrics, the index provides a clearer picture of Michigan’s standing.
“It’s not just how much money a state spends but how effectively it allocates those resources,” Dennis noted. “Michigan can look to states like Indiana for strategies to stretch its road dollars further.”
Call to Action for Michigan Policymakers
The report arrives as Michigan lawmakers debate funding solutions to address deteriorating roads. While significant investments have been made in recent years, Dennis emphasizes that funding alone won’t close the gap. Policymakers must address structural inefficiencies, invest in data-driven asset management, and rethink local governance of roadways to ensure long-term improvements.
The Citizens Research Council plans to expand its analysis in the coming year, examining correlations between funding levels and pavement outcomes across states. These insights aim to guide Michigan’s efforts to optimize funding and improve road quality.
About the Citizens Research Council of Michigan
Founded in 1916, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to providing factual, unbiased information on significant issues affecting state and local government. For more information, visit www.crcmich.org.
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