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LANSING, Mich. (Feb. 21, 2014) — The Michigan Department of Transportation expects to be over budget by $40 million just on maintenance this year.
Potholes are the problem.
“It seems to be a never-ending job,” says James Logan of MDOT’s Brighton Maintenance Garage in a YouTube video posted by MDOT. “We are continuously refilling the same holes.”
The video explains how potholes form and how MDOT tries to keep up.
To call attention to MDOT’s repair efforts, State Transportation Director Kirk Steudle recently filled potholes with a crew on M-14 in Washtenaw County.
“Our maintenance budget for this winter is $88 million, based on the five-year winter average,” Steudle said in a release. “Due to the severe winter weather, we’re expecting to exceed that budget by about $40 million.”
“I’m appreciative that the legislature is talking about providing additional funds for real maintenance relief,” Steudle said in the video. The Michigan Senate Thursday approved $100 million in extra funding to patch up local and state road budgets. The bill provides $39.1 million more to MDOT, with the rest going to county and local road agencies.
To report potholes of highways designated by an M, an I, or US number, used the MDOT pothole repair site.
Michigan Transportation Director Kirk Steudle helps a pothole patching crew on M-14. (MDOT)
