The 2019 TRIP (The Road Information Program) Report was officially released today! MITA coordinated press events in Grand Rapids, Detroit and Lansing to roll out the report to the media.
Collaborating with TRIP staff, MDOT, the Michigan Municipal League, the Grand Rapids Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Detroit Regional Chamber and the County Road Association, the report generated strong media attention in all three markets.
The Governor’s office released the following statement in response to the TRIP Report:
LANSING, Mich. — Today Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement after the national transportation research group TRIP found that the average Michigan driver spends $646 per year on car repairs, which is up from $562 in previous reports.
“Every driver in Michigan is already paying a hidden tax on our roads, and the cost just went up. If we don’t raise the $2.5 billion we need to actually fix our roads the right way, with the right materials, the cost will continue to go up year after year. Patching potholes and ignoring the problem isn’t working. Instead, it’s hurting our families and businesses and holding our economy back. I’ve offered a real plan to raise the revenue we need to fix the damn roads and ensure we can attract businesses and talent to our state, and I’m ready to work with everyone who’s ready to solve these problems.”
The report highlights the massive unmet infrastructure needs across the entire state of Michigan, breaking down large urban areas into percentages and dollar amounts for perspective.
MITA would like to thank Board Member Alan Sandell and his team at Cadillac Asphalt/MI Paving/Stoneco for sending representatives to each press event in a show of support.
The full TRIP Report is available to the public by clicking here.
