Headlines
Comments for Are Heavy Trucks To Blame For Michigan's Poor Roads?
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Search:
Gray Television, Inc - Copyright 2002-2012 - Powered by Gray Interactive Media
Every one is a problem. The only fair way to keep the roads in premium condition is to make them all toll roads and charge people for the use of them. It also comes down to lowest bidder often wins and some of these companies do take short cuts. The other option is to start looking at mass transportation of people. Most people would love to take mass transit if it was not so expensive. I would not giving up one of my vheicles if I could have a general pass that allows me to use public transportation in any city in mchigan and move between two cities for less. If I needed to go to atlanta, i would notmind getting on the bus to go to central station then to the airport. But to take the michigan flyer to detroit every day imore expensive than driving.
Michigan's roads have several problems. We have catered to the tree huggers and not allowed DOT to cut trees and the ditches can not drain causeing water under the road because it can not get to creeks or rivers. We go with the low bid and get exacally that quality work. We use way more salt than is necessary because we are near the capitol and people do not know how to drive or slow down. Many many more to list.
Wasn't a major road contractor allegedly indicted for NOT using government spec materials on government roads. Perhaps inferior materials is also a factor.
I believe heavy trucks are only a part of the problem. I think the bigger issue is poor management. Michigan is the 6th highest state on gasoline tax. Michigan ranks 35th in the nation, in state highway performance and cost effectiveness, according to the 19th Annual Highway Report by the Reason Foundation. Michigan is ranked 45th by stateintegrity.org. The State should get its management in order before passing additional taxes. Write to your state representatives. http://www.senate.michigan.gov/fysenator/fysenator.htm http://www.house.mi.gov/mhrpublic/
Kelly, think about it. Tax the semis and they increase their delivery rates to the stores. The stores increase the self price you pay for your goods. Any more questions on who pays! 51% of the uniformed!?!?!?
Semi's responsible for Mich roads? Yeah right. Get a clue. The semi's travel in other states as well as Mich, why aren't those states roads as poor as Mich roads are then? Canada roads are awesome compared to Mich. Colorado roads? Minnesota roads? We all get the same weather, 4 seasons, we all have semi trucks transporting our goods. IMO Mich roads are horrible because the DOT uses salt on the icy roads unlike other states. What does the salt do to your vehicle there Kelly in Jackson? Your ridiculous post suggesting that semi trucks are the reason Mich roads are as bad as they are is because of your lack of knowledge about the roads. Compare apples to apples. You're grasping at straws by blaming big trucks.
@ Kelly, even if they tax the semis, you will still pay because the cost will trickle down through increase of product cost and higher freight charges.
I believe there are a number of factors that damage our roads. One of my number one concerns is Amish horse and buggies, and steel wheeled tractors or wagons. This may not be an issue everywhere but in Hillsdale county I notice it. Alot of Amish hire big trucks to deliver their crops and animals. Are these people buying plates for their buggies? No!!! They are required in Indiana. Are these people being taxed for having a business with loading docks like us so called "English" people do? I`m not seeing it! These people are robbing the taxpayers blind. What makes this group of people any better? Yes, I am targeting these people for anyone that hasn`t caught on! They want to be segregated, so that`s what they get. This is only a small amount of info on what these groups get away with while some of them are turning over more than $100,000 a year and receiving state benefits for their families. What a fine state and country we live in!
Heres a solution to the problem BUILD BETTER ROADS ITS A NO BRAINER
I believe heavy trucks are only a part of the problem. I believe the bigger issue is poor management. Michigan is the 6th highest state on gasoline tax. Michigan ranks 35th in the nation, in state highway performance and cost effectiveness, according to the 19th Annual Highway Report by the Reason Foundation. Michigan is ranked 45th by stateintegrity.org. The State should get its management in order before passing additional taxes. Write to your state representatives. http://www.senate.michigan.gov/fysenator/fysenator.htm http://www.house.mi.gov/mhrpublic/