The Michigan Department of Transportation on June 2 released a report on the status of Michigan bridges and the picture it painted was not a pretty one. The state report noted that more than one-fourth of the 4,399 state highway bridges (excluding pedestrian bridges and those less that 20-feet-long) were in less than tip-top shape, to put it mildly.

 Specifically, MDOT pointed out that 843 bridges (nearly one of every five bridges) were “functionally obsolete” meaning their designs are outdated (too narrow to handle a rescue vehicle, for example) and may require modernization in the coming years. Additionally, 378 spans (8.6 percent of total) earned the more troubling label of “structurally deficient” which broadly means the bridges may be candidates for rehabilitation or outright replacement at some future date.

That’s 1,221 bridges – 28 percent of the total – described in language that should sound alarms in all of us. This isn’t a rural problem or an urban problem. No area of the state is immune. All 83 Michigan counties have bridges on the troubled list. Some are victims of financial abandonment. Others are bridges that adequately served their purpose when they were constructed back in the 1920, 30s, 40s, 50s and later years, but no longer are sufficient to meet the demands of the 21st Century.

Because of the deep economic challenges Michigan has faced for the last decade, we as a state have been penny-wise and pound-foolish by knowingly disinvesting in our once-proud transportation network – the bridges and roadways that made it possible for our commerce to flourish and cast Michigan as a vital cog in ensuring the nation’s economic well-being.

It is long past time we chart a new course, one that recognizes the fundamental role a quality transportation network must play if Michigan is to reverse its economic fortunes. This state put the world on wheels and has never shied from challenge in the past. It’s about jobs. But it’s also about providing safe and reliable transportation to the 10 million folks who call Michigan home.

We’re encouraged that a growing number of Michigan lawmakers seem inclined to take the difficult-but-important steps to begin to address a problem that has been ignored for far too long. Last month a group of 10 senators, including chief sponsor Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, introduced legislation to amend the Michigan Sales Tax Act. An amended version of SB 351 passed out of committee this week that would allow Michigan to use a portion of the sales tax collected on gasoline and diesel fuel to obtain matching federal highway funds and devote money to state and local roads. Some drivers believe that the money they pay at the pump goes to roads, when in reality NO sales tax dollars go to fixing our roads. This new legislation is not the magic bullet, but a good start. We look forward to working with members of the Legislature and the Snyder Administration as discussions continue on ways to address this critically important need.