News Summary
State Rep. Phil Skaggs has introduced House Bill 4735, which aims to increase funding for road maintenance through mileage fees for heavy trucks. The bill requires trucks over 59,999 pounds to log their mileage, proposing a fee of $0.0285 per mile driven. The law could generate $100 to $150 million annually for road improvements. Concurrently, significant construction is set to begin on Michigan Avenue, impacting traffic and local businesses. The aim is to enhance safety and address deteriorating road conditions across the state.
Grand Rapids, Michigan – State Rep. Phil Skaggs has introduced House Bill 4735, a new piece of legislation aimed at increasing funding for road maintenance through mileage fees charged to heavy trucks. This bill mandates that trucks exceeding 59,999 pounds must log their mileage traveled on Michigan roads, with a proposed fee of $0.0285 per mile driven. If passed, the law is expected to generate between $100 million to $150 million annually specifically for maintaining and improving roads and infrastructure across the state.
Skaggs highlighted the necessity for heavy trucks to contribute fairly to the costs of road maintenance, given their significant impact on road wear. In addition to the per-mile fee, the legislation includes a flat fee option of $40 that allows unlimited driving on Michigan roads for short-term travel over a 10-day period. The bill has been assigned to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for further review.
The proposed mileage fee is modeled after a successful system utilized in Kentucky for over 20 years. By implementing similar measures, Michigan officials aim to enhance the sustainability of road maintenance funding, addressing the growing concern over deteriorating road conditions.
Road Rehabilitation Project Impacting Michigan Avenue
As lawmakers consider House Bill 4735, significant construction activity is set to begin on Michigan Avenue. The fourth phase of a $14 million rehabilitation project will commence, leading to closures that will significantly affect traffic. Michigan Avenue will be closed between Leslie and Lathrop streets starting Friday, with the closure expected to last until early July.
During the closure, eastbound traffic will be rerouted to Saginaw Street, while westbound traffic will be directed to Grand River and Oakland avenues. Preliminary work initially planned for March 24 was postponed due to frost laws that limited access to roads required for transporting construction materials.
Goals of Michigan Avenue Project
The current phase of the Michigan Avenue project aims to enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety by redesigning the road from five lanes to four. This change will include the addition of dedicated bike lanes, the replacement of sidewalks, and upgrades to sewer and water main systems.
As construction begins, local business owners have expressed concerns regarding potential impacts on customer access and sales during the rehabilitation period. The construction will also necessitate adjustments for community services, such as the University of Michigan Health Sparrow Hospital, which will need to ensure patient access is maintained.
Looking ahead, additional phases of the Michigan Avenue rehabilitation project are slated to commence in July, with a focus on segments of the avenue that are in close proximity to the health campus. The local public service department is dedicated to keeping open lines of communication with businesses and community members throughout the construction process to minimize disruptions and address any concerns that may arise.
The introduction of House Bill 4735 and concurrent construction on Michigan Avenue marks a vital period for road infrastructure in Michigan. Efforts to establish sustainable funding sources for maintenance, alongside significant improvements to transportation routes, indicate a prioritization of urban development and public safety in the region.
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Additional Resources
- Lansing State Journal: Michigan Avenue Closure Construction
- Fox47 News: Lansing Road Construction
- WWMT: Michigan Road Repair Plan
- Bridge Michigan: House Passes GOP Roads Package
- WLIX: Lansing Business Owners Prepare for Michigan Ave Construction
- Wikipedia: Road Construction
- Google Search: Lansing Michigan road construction
- Google Scholar: Michigan road infrastructure
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Road Construction
- Google News: Michigan road construction
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
