Plywood under a bridge going over a Michigan expressway. Image from Justfixtheroads.com.

This statement is from Linden Mayor David Lossing, president of the Michigan Municipal League Board of Trustees. Lossing is commenting on tonight’s State of the State address by Gov. Rick Snyder, who called for new investment in Michigan’s crumbling transportation system.

“Michigan’s transportation infrastructure is in critical condition, threatening thousands of jobs, the state’s economy, our cities, and public safety. Michigan roads consistently rank among the nation’s worst. Our local roads and bridges are in desperate need of funding for essential maintenance. We need transit system and infrastructure improvements that will help create the types of communities attractive to a skilled workforce and those industries that are thriving in the 21st century economy. We can cut all the taxes we want, but if we can’t move goods from point A to point B, it won’t do us any good. Bottom line: it’s time to replace the plywood patches on too many Michigan highway bridges with pavement. It’s time to fix our roads and rebuild our infrastructure so Michigan is again attractive to employers and a talented workforce.”

Posted by Matt Bach, director of media relations for the Michigan Municipal League, 734-669-6317 and [email protected].