Although the recently introduced $980 million program includes 66 projects designed to spark economic development and ease congestion, it calls on localities to foot $100 million of the cost from their own budgets. It also will draw monies from the Transportation Economic Development Fund, which is funded by state and federal dollars but provides counties with road improvement and maintenance money.
Craig Bryson, public information officer for the Road Commission in fast-growing Oakland County, says using that fund could "devastate" Oakland's ability to follow through on road projects it already has planned.
Officials from several jurisdictions also contend that they weren't involved in the selection of the Build Michigan III projects or told that they'd be expected to pitch in funds. "No one here is questioning that the projects have merit," says John Niemela, director of the County Road Association of Michigan. "It's just how they're going to get paid for." Niemela points out that while 13 counties are slated to receive Build Michigan III projects, all 83 of the state's counties will pay if the economic development fund is used.
According to the state Department of Transportation, local governments pay a portion of almost every transportation project. If cities and counties refuse to provide the necessary funds, some proj- ects may be postponed. DOT is working with localities to avoid that scenario.
