by Manny Rhodes

It looks like it’s time to invest in the stock of companies that make those orange construction barrels.

That’s because the state of Michigan plans to accelerate an additional $618 million in spending for critical road and bridge projects.

This investment will fund 158 projects, known as the Greenlight projects, over the next two years as part of the Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s Jobs Today Initiative. The accelerated projects are in addition to the Michigan Department of Transportation’s announced road and bridge investment levels for the next five years.

“The Jobs Today Initiative and the investments we are announcing today will help put more Michigan workers back on the job,” Granholm said. “Local communities will benefit from transportation system improvements, and our state will benefit from the significant economic impact of the more than 11,000 jobs supported by these projects.”

The 158 construction projects in the next two years include a wide variety of system improvements in 59 Michigan counties. The Greenlight projects represent more than 600 lane-miles, 42 bridges, and six capacity improvement projects. Capacity improvement projects include new roads and lane expansions. In total, the $618 million additional investment will fund 180 new projects over five years.

“MDOT developed the Greenlight concept as part of this administration’s commitment to reassess transportation system investments after Congress passed federal transportation funding legislation in July,” said Gloria Jeff, MDOT director. “Now, as part of MDOT’s 2006-2010 Five Year Transportation Program, the Greenlight project investments and MDOT’s focus on preserving our existing system will allow us to maximize federal dollars available to the state and achieve our longstanding goal of bringing 90 percent of Michigan’s roads and bridges into good condition by 2007.”

MDOT’s $8.92 billion 2006-2010 Five Year Transportation Program includes an average annual road and bridge investment of $1.36 billion, including routine maintenance, and an average of $60 million per year for targeted safety improvements.

It is estimated that the program will support more than 100,000 jobs between 2006 and 2010. Each year, an average of $156 million also will be invested in the aviation program, and $272 million will be invested in the bus, rail and marine/port programs.

“Michigan citizens, businesses, local governments and the state have worked together to develop these projects, and these investments can’t wait,” Granholm said. “This infusion of new money represents my administration’s commitment to partnerships that help create jobs, grow Michigan’s economy, and make Michigan families safer.”

In addition to construction investments on state roads, Granholm also made clear her intention to work with local governments, the Legislature and transportation stakeholders to help county road commissions and municipalities obtain matching funds necessary to construct critical, federal-aid eligible local road and transit capital projects.

“My administration will develop a state and local partnership that equitably meets local transportation needs statewide by putting all of our federal transportation dollars to work,” Granholm said. “I hope the Legislature will work with us to ensure an appropriate approach to deliver a more efficient and seamless transportation system that grows Michigan’s economy, protects Michigan families, and improves the quality of life in every Michigan community.”

For the complete list of projects, visit www.michigan.gov/greenlight.

Have a question or comment for Manny? Email him at MannyRhodes@ameritech.net.

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