"We Deserve Better" Says Infrastructure VP On Condition Of Mich. Bridges
DETROIT (WWJ) - A new report may cause concern for local motorists. The findings show that Wayne County was the stand alone loser, for both the highest number of bridges that are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, and also the highest percentage of problem bridges at 54 percent.
So what needs to be done next?
Executive Vice President of the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association Mike Nystrom thinks the report should be a wake-up call to lawmakers.
"The recommendations are up to the elected officials in Lansing," said Nystrom. "The problem is well-recognized at the capitol - we need to find solutions now because as we continue to put off finding a real long-term solution the problem continues to grow."
Other local counties ranked poorly, too, with Oakland and Macomb Counties in third and fourth place for the worst bridges, while Livingston and Washtenaw came in at seventh and eighth.
"We're hopeful that this type of information will motivate the elected officials in Lansing to do what's right and to find a long-term fix for our infrastructure. The pothole season that we all just faced shouldn't be an annual occurrence, we shouldn't have to deal with that, we deserve better."
Nystrom says one in eight bridges statewide is considered to be in poor condition.
As if on cue, Tuesday afternoon a large hole developed on the approach to the Rouge River Bridge ... stalling traffic and sending repairs crews to the rush hour scene.
