Lack of funding leads to destruction of Montcalm County roads
A YouTube video released today documents the intentional pulverization of paved roadways in Montcalm County. Faced with dwindling funds for road maintenance, many Michigan counties are being forced to replace paved roads with gravel.
While many Michigan roads are certainly in need of repair, it would be irresponsible to consider a road “fixed” until it is “complete,” meaning it accomodates all modes of transportation including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and those with disabilities - not just cars.
When incorporated into the original design of a roadway, Complete Streets practices often cost little extra to implement. Advocates for Complete Streets need to reframe the issue of cost into an issue of value. We must start placing value on the proper construction and maintenance of the entire right of way, not just the number of miles of paved travel lanes. This means that the many engineers, planners and politicians who have ignored the needs of the 1/3 of Americans who do not drive will have to stop treating bicyclists, pedestrians, transit users and those using mobility aides as second class citizens. Placing emphasis on value may indeed mean that communities might have to repave a few less miles of road each year and use those savings to make the roadways that they do “fix” complete.
Learn more about the costs of Complete Streets at:
http://www.completestreets.org/complete-streets-fundamentals/factsheets/costs/
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4 comments
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June 25, 2009 at 4:37 pm
lindenmayer
Not only do we need to fund Michigan roads, but when we “fix” them we need to insure that the state and local road agencies complete them so they accommodate all roadway users, not just automobiles.
The careful planning encouraged by Complete Streets policies helps jurisdictions find many effective measures that can be accomplished at little or no extra cost - especially when incorporated into the original design of the roadway or at the point of reconstruction when a road is already torn up.
Learn more about the costs of Complete Streets at:
http://www.completestreets.org/complete-streets-fundamentals/factsheets/costs/
July 1, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Kimberly
I agree that Complete Streets will help immensely-why pour money only into automobiles? The less vehicle traffic on roads, the longer they last.
July 22, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Todd Scott
Boo hoo. These road agencies have built a financially unsustainable road network that is auto-centric. Now they’re trying to stir public support for more funding to continue their unsustainable vision. They should not receive any additional funding until they adopt complete streets policies and land use planning to build transportation systems for all users that is sustainable.
I hope posting of their pitch for more money doesn’t indicate support for their public relations scheme.
July 23, 2009 at 2:13 pm
lindenmayer
Todd,
As you can see I have edited the post above so it has a stronger emphasis on the need for Complete Streets . It was never the intention to give an endorsement. It was merely an attempt to stress the point that “fixing” our roads must include “completing” them. Hopefully this comes through better now. Thank you for your comment!