Michigan Senate ChamberThe Michigan Municipal League today sent out a statement to the media expressing our appreciation of the state Senate approving a $1.5 billion plan for local road agencies and to repair and replace local bridges. Here is our statement from the League’s Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director:
The following statement from the Michigan Municipal League is in response to the Senate today approving a $1.5 billion plan to address the tremendous need for local bridge and road repair and replacement across the state. This statement can be attributed to Dan Gilmartin, the League’s CEO and Executive Director.
“The scale of resources needed to repair and replace Michigan’s bridges far exceeds the financial ability of Michigan’s local road agencies. That is why the League applauds the Senate’s recognition of this need and their willingness to take action to invest $1.3 billion in local bridges and $200 million for local road agencies to offset transportation revenue lost because of the COVID-19 pandemic. All levels of leadership in Lansing have prioritized the need to invest in this critical part of our community’s infrastructure used by every Michigander and visitor. The Senate’s $1.5 billion proposal recognized the scale of the problem. We estimate this investment is enough to address all our local bridges in critical condition.”
Dan Gilmartin, MML
Gilmartin added, “This is a strong start to the kind of bold investment our communities need. We look forward to partnering on similar strategic proposals for water infrastructure, housing, community and economic development, and public health and safety in a comprehensive and coordinated way to amplify our prosperity now and into the future. The Senate’s action today represents a key first step in catalyzing the impact of available resources. We encourage the Legislature and the governor to continue to work together to fully realize Michigan’s enormous capacity to ensure the health and wealth of its people.”
For additional information, contact the League’s Matt Bach, assistant director of strategic communications, at (810) 874-1073 (cell) and [email protected].
Michigan Municipal League is dedicated to making Michigan’s communities better by thoughtfully innovating programs, energetically connecting ideas and people, actively serving members with resources and services, and passionately inspiring positive change for Michigan’s greatest centers of potential: its communities. The League advocates on behalf of its member communities in Lansing, Washington, D.C., and the courts; provides educational opportunities for elected and appointed municipal officials; and assists municipal leaders in administering services to their communities through League programs and services. Learn more at mml.org.