Our aging public infrastructure continues to be underfunded, and every day it becomes increasingly inadequate to serve the needs of competitive businesses and individuals.

It is now time for us to take the discussion about increased infrastructure spending for roads and bridges out of the political context and begin discussing how we as a state can become more competitive.

Companies need excellent infrastructure to move goods and services throughout our state. If they choose to move to Michigan, or to remain in this state, they will bring jobs and vitality to our economy.

Better roads and bridges will save taxpayers money. Michiganians spend an average $357 per year on unnecessary car repairs and time stuck in traffic due to the poor condition of our roads. We can continue to let taxpayers shoulder the burden of our poor roads, or we can find a funding solution now. If we wait because we aren’t sure the solution is the exact right choice, we risk spending more taxpayer money in the future.

Not only will that average annual cost to taxpayers of $357 climb every year, but the cost to repair our transportation system will escalate. Studies show us that it costs six times more to bring a road from poor to good condition. Letting our roads decline to poor condition will cost us money and lives. We can potentially save 1,000 lives over the next 10 years if we improve the condition of our roads and bridges.

MARK SCHAUER / Battle Creek

Mark Schauer is a former Democratic member of Congress. He is with the Michigan Laborers-Employers Cooperation & Education Trust.

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