At the September State Transportation Commission meeting MDOT leadership announced they would invest $1.28 billion in their FY 2014 Highway Program. This investment represents a modest 9% increase over MDOT’s $1.17 billion FY 2013 investment with the increase the result of Governor Snyder’s transfer of $115 million of general fund revenue to MDOT’s Priority Roads Investment Program.
In breaking down this $1.28 billion investment plan, MDOT is currently projecting that approximately $750 million in road and bridge projects will be let in FY 2014. MDOT anticipates $276 million will be used to fund routine maintenance (snowplowing, mowing, etc.) performed by the Department, with the balance of the investment going to fund preliminary engineering (project scoping/design), construction engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and other miscellaneous programs.
Consistent with the direction established by the State Transportation Commission, MDOT’s FY 2014 investment strategy will focus approximately 90% of the Highway Program funds on the preservation, maintenance, safety, and operations of the existing trunkline assets.
The FY 2014 Highway Program includes $33 million for trunkline modernization that will focus on:
- Replacement of the I-94/Woodward Avenue bridge in Detroit, which is linked to the M-1 rail project.
- Preconstruction work on eight bridges in the I-94 corridor in Detroit.
- Advanced early preliminary engineering work (utility agreements, right-of-way acquisitions, railroad agreements, risk management, and stakeholder engagement) in the I-94 corridor in Detroit, and the I-75 corridor in Oakland County.
MDOT leadership indicated there would be no shortfall of state funds for meeting the federal match requirements due to the redirection of $121 million from the general fund to the State Trunkline Fund.
Although they are subject to change, MDOT has provided the following documents pertinent to the FY 2014 Highway Program:
2014 HMA, Concrete & Bridge Summary
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Glenn Bukoski at glennbukoski@mi-ita.com or by phone at (517) 347-8336.
2013 numbers have shown that Michigan now needs $1.7 billion a year to maintain our current infrastructure system. Every day, roads and bridges continue to deteriorate at an alarming rate, causing accidents and expensive car repairs, while also decreasing the efficiency of the transportation of goods and services to boost our economy. There has never been a more critical time to get involved in the efforts to secure increased funding. Please continue to meet with your elected officials on a regular basis, and help us educate them on why the need for increased investment is so great, so timely and so important for Michigan’s future.
