DETROIT – Michigan has received a D from the Association of Civil Engineers regarding the state of its roads, bridges and even schools.
The ASCE's latest "Report Card for America's Infrastructure" says the wear and tear drivers suffer on Michigan's rough roads and bridges will result in an extra $1,000 in fixes for every family each year.
The previous report was done in 2009. Michigan also got a D on that one.
Other findings from the report:
- To maintain and upgrade water systems over the next 20 years, $11.8 billion is needed for drinking water and $3.7 billion for waste water.
- 1,354 structurally deficient bridges
- 38% of roads are poor or mediocre quality
- 161 high hazard dams
Michigan Department of Transportation spokesman Rob Morosi said he isn't surprised by the grade.
"That alarm has been sounded for years and years now. We remain hopeful that something can get to increase the level of investment," he said.
The money problem:
The problem is funding all of the fixes that are needed.
Gov. Rick Snyder has said he wants to hike the gas tax and charge more fees to residents on license plates to help raise $1.2 billion to solve the road issues. But that idea has now been abandoned on the side of a crumbling road because that money was left out of the state's transportation budget.
About ASCE's reports:
Individual grades were given in the categories of aviation, bridges, dams, drinking water, energy, hazardous waste, inland waterways, levees, ports, public parks and recreation, rail, roads, schools, solid waste, transit, and wastewater. Final grades were assigned based on capacity to meet future demand, condition, funding, future needs, operation and maintenance, public safety, resilience, and innovation.
ASCE has produced four previous Report Cards in 1998, 2001, 2005, and 2009.