By Eric S. Wilson
GUEST COLUMN
The annual summer migration has begun. The orange-barrel migration, that is.
As happens every year at this time, thousands of orange barrels migrate from remote contractor storage lots and sheds to roads across Michigan, coinciding with the start of road-construction season.
While it is sometimes frustrating when herds of these cylindrical orange traffic-control devices descend on our travel routes, it's also a good thing. It means the road is about to be repaired or improved. In fact, as much as we all cringe as we hail their arrival, the truth is this county and state desperately need more of their kin to descend on our roads. That's because years of underfunding have left our road system crumbling and congested.
Sadly, declining road funding in recent years means there are tens of thousands of orange barrels penned up on storage lots or locked away in contractor sheds across Michigan — barrels that ought to be employed as part of road improvement projects. In other words, the pent-up orange barrels are merely a symptom of our much larger problem: a failing and underfunded road system. And if you think orange barrels are an impediment to business or quality of life in Michigan, think about the impact of a failing road system.
The Michigan Asset-Management Council (MAMC), the group appointed by the governor to champion the implementation of the business concept of “asset management” in the world of public-sector road agencies, monitors the condition of Michigan's roads. Tragically, the group has documented a continuing decline in the condition of roads across the state in recent years.
Even worse, the MAMC predicts that, at the current level of road funding in Michigan, the rate of the deterioration of the road system is going to increase in coming years. That means every year we're likely to have increasing numbers of roads in poor condition.
In case that sounds a little too academic, let me put this in more simple terms. In every year going forward, we will have more and more roads filled with bone-jarring, tie-rod-busting, rim-bending, tire-blowing potholes.
What does that type of road do for local businesses? Just ask those businesses located along Orchard Lake Road between 13 Mile and 14 Mile roads, for example. Or those on Dequindre near M-59. Or along the numerous other roads in Oakland County and around the state that are already in terrible shape, and for which there is not enough money to make proper repairs.
To be blunt, unless we start to improve our roads, Michigan and Oakland County businesses will suffer as will motorists who have to pay to repair their damaged vehicles. Sure it's temporarily rough for businesses and commuters when the orange barrels take over their road. But it's a whole lot worse when the road becomes so rough that motorists avoid the road altogether — for years.
Additionally, the longer we let the roads go, the more it will cost to repair them later. That means if and when we finally do get new money, more of that money will be needed to fix the long-neglected roads.
So, I think it's time to start a movement — the Free the Orange Barrels movement. We need to make sure the state Legislature provides an adequate amount of road funding so that the orange barrels can return to their traditional spring migration and more of our roads can be fixed. Please join me in encouraging our legislators to adequately fund our roads. Free the orange barrels!
Eric S. Wilson is chairman of the Road Commission for Oakland County. He welcomes your feedback at 877-858-4804 or dcsmail@rcoc.org.
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