Only 2 percent of people in the state of Michigan think the state has very good or excellent roads, according to a new transportation survey from AAA Michigan.
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- SEMCOG: $1.2B needed to just get 80% of SE Michigan roads in good shape
Compared to that, 89 percent of people would rate the conditions of Michigan's roads and bridges as fair or poor. More than half believe the roads are in poor condition.
State lawmakers recently approved an additional $400 million for roads, but over 50 percent of those people surveyed believe that existing state and federal revenues are not enough to maintain Michigan roads in their current condition. Also, 70 percent of people believe that resources aren't being allocated appropriately in the state.
While most people think there isn't enough money, a majority also do not want to pay more in taxes and fees. According to the study, 60 percent of people said they wouldn't be willing to pay more in taxes or fees to support fixing the roads.
If they had to pay more taxes or fees, 67 percent said they would be in favor of a toll or an increase fee over an increased gas tax.
For various funding options, the results were very divided:
- Using general revenue to pay for transportation - 25 percent
- Selling bonds to raise funds - 20 percent
- Charge tolls on new roads and highway lanes - 19 percent
- Increase gasoline taxes - 16 percent
- Charge tolls on existing toll-free roads and highway lanes - 16 percent
- Charge tax based on vehicle miles traveled (road usage) - 13 percent
- Increase registration/plate fees - 12 percent
- Adjust gas taxes based on road construction costs - 11 percent
- Increase other taxes to pay for transportation (sales, income, property, etc.) - 9 percent
- None, do not support any of the above - 30 percent
