KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – As state leaders continue to argue about the next step in providing funding for road repair in Michigan, roads are still deteriorating faster than they can be fixed.
According to Michigan’s Road and Bridges Report, from 2022 to 2024, 17.7% of primary roads improved in condition, while 20.2% declined. The latest report also found 68% of primary roads in the state were in fair or good condition, while 32% were poor condition.
Kalamazoo County was doing slightly better than other counties in the state, with 29% of primary roads in poor condition, 35% in fair condition, and 36% in good condition. 645 miles of roads in the county were part of the survey.
Allegan County had 22% of primary roads listed as poor, with 41% fair, and 37% in good condition.
13 counties in the state had at least 50% of their federal-aid-eligible roads receive a poor rating using the Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating system, including Van Buren County at 65%.
Michigan’s Republican-led House in March approved a nine-bill package to fund the state’s crumbling roads and bridges. The plan would allocate about $2.2 billion in Corporate Income Tax revenue for roads, as well as $945 million through the permanent dedication of all state tax paid at the gas pump to road funding.
The package was sent to the Democrat controlled Senate for consideration.
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