LANSING – Another report on Tuesday, this one from engineers, assessed the substandard condition of Michigan’s roads, transit, water, the electric grid and other infrastructure systems, but the launch of a specific plan to raise the needed funds for transportation purposes is not expected until Thursday when legislation is to be introduced that doubles vehicle registration fees and switches the fuel tax to a wholesale percentage rate from a per gallon rate.

Over five years, the funding package is to double the revenue available for roads, bridges and public transit, and would enable the state to continue to raise enough money to fully match available federal funds, something that will not be possible by 2009-10 under the current rate structure.

The report issued Tuesday by the American Society of Civil Engineers/Michigan gave D grades to roads/bridges, public transit, storm water systems, drinking water systems and dams; and C grades to aviation, energy, navigable waterways and wastewater collection systems.

“We’re squandering our inheritance,” said Transportation Director Kirk Steudle. “What this report is saying is that America’s infrastructure is in dire straits.” He described as embarrassing the relative amount of public spending and gross national product that is devoted to infrastructure needs compared to several decades ago when many of the systems were designed and built.

Rep. Pam Byrnes (D-Chelsea), chair of the House Transportation Committee who will have a lead role in ushering through the new funding plan, said the report is “very significant” because it is an assessment by engineers whose expertise gives them insight on the condition of the state’s infrastructure.

“We must have action and I will lead the charge,” said Byrnes who discussed the new road funding proposal at a local forum on Monday night. For more on a Granholm administration analysis of the upcoming proposal.

The report said roads and bridges are in worse shape than many other infrastructure facilities, and Rhett Gronevelt, ACECMI past president, said funds are inadequate to keep pace with the needs. The report notes that 38 percent of roads are in poor condition and 28 percent of bridges are deficient.

An estimated $3 billion in annual expenditures – double the current level – is required just to keep the current system at a good maintenance level, and still leave the state without funds to plan and build more modern transportation systems, officials said.

“The key message is that we cannot continue to shortchange the transportation system,” Gronevelt said.

ASCEMI Vice President Michael Thelen said wastewater systems are decades beyond their design life, with some $6 billion in estimated costs to bring the systems up to date. He also said 90 percent of the state’s 2,581 dams will reach the end of their design life by 2020.

“Michigan lacks funding to repair and maintain dams putting Michigan citizens at risk,” he said.

Among other impending costs are $11.3 billion over 20 years to improve drinking water systems.

This story was provided by Gongwer News Service. To subscribe, click on Gongwer.Com

a>>