Citizens Can Now Report Dangerous Roads, Bridges On Mobile App, Web Site

LANSING -- Michigan residents can be on the alert for dangerous roads and bridges and immediately record them with a new mobile app unveiled by the Michigan Transportation Team Thursday.

The largest transportation and infrastructure coalition in Michigan has launched a mobile application allowing citizens to upload a photo of dangerous potholes in their area or bridges or roads in disrepair.

Submissions selected as finalists in the Danger on Our Roads contest will be uploaded to the "Fix Michigan Roads" Facebook page and citizens will vote for the worst pothole, road, or bridge in Michigan. The MTT will award the winner $500 to offset the cost of vehicle repairs incurred by motorists due to the poor condition of Michigan's roads.

The App is designed to highlight the state's need for increased investment in transportation and infrastructure -- keeping Michigan citizens safer, saving the state money long term, and creating jobs vital to Michigan's economic health.

"This is not just an economic issue of jobs, but a safety issue for Michigan citizens and their families who drive in Michigan each day," said Mike Nystrom, executive vice president for the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association and co-chair of the MTT. "Our new App gets citizens involved, reminding us all that Michigan's transportation network is no longer sustainable."

The Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council released a report earlier this year which found that 35 percent of Michigan roads qualifying for federal transportation dollars were in poor condition. Forty-six percent of non-federal aid roads, which are typically residential streets or lightly traveled county roads, were in poor condition.  Additionally, nearly one-third of Michigan's bridges were deemed functionally obsolete or structurally deficient last year.

Citizens who would like to download the App on their iPhone should go to the Apple App store and search "Danger on Our Roads," or visit www.dangeronourroads.com to learn more about the App, connect with their local legislator and view facts about the transportation funding crisis in Michigan. Contest rules include the following:

* Photos of potholes, bridges, or "Roads in Crisis" should be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 21
* Five finalists will be chosen by Michigan Transportation Team officials and the voting period will take place Nov. 22-29 on www.facebook.com/FixMichiganRoads
* The winner will be awarded $500 for vehicle repairs or upgrades on Nov. 30
* Michigan residents who do not own an iPhone can send their pictures to: info@dangeronourroads.com

"It is a myth that there is no cost to doing nothing – it is pay me now or pay more later, and it's a higher cost later that Michigan cannot afford," added Nystrom. "We look forward to working with the legislature and the Snyder administration to come up with a long-awaited, long-term solution to the transportation funding crisis."

Gov. Rick Snyder is expected to deliver a special message on infrastructure and transportation at the end of October.

To learn more about the looming crisis on Michigan's roads visit: www.dangeronourroads.com