Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) leadership have announced their plans for a $1.38 billion investment in the 2011 statewide Highway Program.

According to the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association, this investment level represents a slight drop in the $1.44 billion 2010 Highway Program that was supplemented with $148 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds.

In breaking down the $1.38 billion investment, MDOT is currently projecting that approximately $780 million in road and bridge projects will be let in fiscal year 2011. MDOT anticipates $278 million will be used to fund routine maintenance (snow plowing, mowing, etc.) performed by the department, with the balance of the investment going to fund early preliminary engineering (project scoping), preliminary engineering (design), construction engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and other miscellaneous non-discretionary programs.

Consistent with the direction established by the State Transportation Commission previously, MDOT’s 2011 investment strategy will focus on preservation of existing assets with a focus on safety and mobility.

In discussing future year program funding levels, MDOT leadership continues to talk about significant annual shortages of $500-$600 million that would be necessary just to maintain the trunkline roads and bridges in their current condition.

MDOT is conservatively projecting an annual state revenue shortfall of $120-$160 million beginning with the budget debate in the spring of 2011 that will put millions of dollars of federal aid for Michigan roads and bridges at risk.

MITA, the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association, continues its aggressive push for increasing state transportation funding. To help head off this dreadful funding scenario that will face our state and our industry as soon as next spring, we encourage all members to get involved by participating in MITA’s Tuesday, Nov. 30 “Lobby Day” in Lansing.

Lobby Day is an event intended to ask Michigan legislators to adopting a funding solution for Michigan’s transportation infrastructure.

The event is being organized by the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association, one of many members of the Michigan Transportation Team, with a goal of gathering 1,200 participants from the state’s construction industry. It’s to get underway with an 8:30 a.m. gathering at the Lansing Center.

Starting at 8:45 a.m. informational materials are to be distributed and briefings conducted. A march to the state capitol building will commence at 9:45 a.m., followed at 10 a.m. by legislative meetings with members of Michigan’s House of Representatives. More legislative meetings with members of the Michigan Senate are scheduled for 2 p.m.

(From the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association)

CONSTRUCTION ON the M-84 bridge deck over I-75 in the Bay Region. Photo courtesy Jim Lemay/MDOT Photo Lab