Michigan Roads are Breaking the Economy

A report finds the economy success heavily relies on businesses’ ability to drive on Michigan roads.

Bre’Anna Tinsley/ WDET

Michigan’s road conditions are endangering the state’s economy. That’s according to a report from TRIP, a national non-profit transportation research group.

The report found more than $500 billion in goods shipped into the state rely on Michigan roads.

TRIP Policy Director Rocky Moretti says researchers expect that number to increase 25 percent by 2030.

“But unfortunately six of the nation’s largest freight traffic bottlenecks are here in Michigan, several of them in the Detroit area,”  Moretti says. “The state is so challenged in trying to keep roads and bridges from getting worse, over the next five years they have no money set aside for actually making improvements to the actual system. ” 

Moretti says Michigan cannot rebuild its economy on crumbling roads and bridges. Michigan residents vote on a road funding ballot proposed on May 5. 

Author

  • Bre'Anna Tinsley
    Bre'Anna Tinsley is a reporter for Detroit Public Radio, 101.9 WDET. She covers city government and housing, as well as co-hosting the "Detroit Evening Report" podcast.