GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - The federal stimulus money is said to have created 1,700 jobs when it comes to road construction in Michigan, so far this year. But, there are some concerns about what will happen after that money runs out.
There is no doubt that road contruction in West Michigan is moving along. It's almost December and crews are busy working on stimulus projects.
"It's doubled our work load for this year," said John Richard from the Michigan Dept. of Transportation. "It's creating jobs...subcontractors are getting work. As you know, our roads are in need of fixing, and that's what we've been doing."
MDOT got $60 million in stimulus money. Out of 37 projects, most are done, or in progress, like the $35 million project on I-196. In the spring, MDOT will begin replacing bridges and adding lanes in each direction.
"That's why you see all the resurfacing on I-96 and US-131. All this is in preparation for the big fix on I-196. That project would have been later - put on hold - but because of the stimulus package, it's being done now, and next year."
At the Grand Valley Metro Council, Darrell Robinson helped create the list of roads that needed to be repaired. Robinson calls the stimulus projects, "money well spent."
We're far behind other states because we have very harsh winters with freeze and thaw," explained Robinson. Roads get torn up real bad and quickly. Any money that come come to this area is good, because in Michigan, we've always had a shortage of funds."
And as the federal stimulus money starts to run out, there are concerns about an even bigger shortage. With a decline in revenues, most seem to agree, there needs to be a major changes in the way we fund roads.
"Roads are so important that the way we are funded, it has to change, because right now, the stimulus is carrying us."
Right now, the revenue to fund roads comes from the gas tax and vehicle registration fees.
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