MICHIGAN SECTION OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
Executive Summary
Infrastructure is the fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, state, county, township, or city and is necessary for its economy to function. Infrastructure includes roads, bridges, water and sewer systems, dams, transit, aviation, railways, energy and schools. Infrastructure is the foundation of our everyday lives and touches all parts of how we live, work and play in Michigan. It is the backbone of Michigan’s economy
Quality infrastructure allows Michigan to be a frontrunner in various sectors including: research and development, manufacturing, farming, and tourism. Our transportation system (roads, bridges, transit, rail, etc.) allows Michiganders to travel to work every day, or Up North for summer weekends by the lake. Water systems deliver drinking water to our homes, communities, and businesses. School buildings provide a safe place for our children to learn. Sewer and treatment systems protect our neighborhoods from floods, and our lakes, rivers, and beaches from raw sewage, E. coli and other toxins.
Unfortunately, most of Michigan’s infrastructure is old and outdated. In older Michigan cities, some systems date back to the late 1800s. For close to a decade the state suffered from a poor economy, resulting in Michigan under investing in infrastructure repairs and replacement. Imagine not changing your car’s tires for 10 years. Now we are faced with highways that are full of potholes, bridges that are being propped with temporary supports, sinkholes destroying homes, and beaches being closed due to contamination. In general, most investments during those years were a result of emergencies. Emergency repairs can be inconvenient, cause safety issues, and are more costly than doing routine infrastructure maintenance or replacement.
Michigan residents, business owners, and policymakers must decide how much we value the personal and economic advantages that come from a modern, safe and efficient infrastructure network. The Michigan legislature took the first step in 2015 by increasing the investment in our transportation system, but much more needs to be done. The 21st Century Infrastructure Commission created by the Governor determined that an additional $4 billion annual investment is needed to maintain our infrastructure. The good news is there are solutions to Michigan’s infrastructure problems. We must support innovative policies, increase state funding, prioritize public health and safety, and be informed and vocal advocates for infrastructure. Maintenance and replacement must happen proactively instead of reactively. Just as you change your car’s oil regularly, we must replace pipelines, repair dams, fix bridges, and resurface roads as needs arise.
This document was created to help Michigan understand the state of our infrastructure. As civil engineers, our daily focus is on roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems, our energy grid and more. Civil engineers plan, design, construct, and maintain our infrastructure networks. It is not only what we were trained and educated to do, it is our job and our passion! The ASCE-MI 2018 Report Card provides an opportunity to share that information with the public. This document is a snapshot for residents, businesses, and policymakers to engage in conversation about where we are and where we want to be. We hope that this information provides the insight needed to start that conversation.
ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT CARD
GRADING CRITERIA
ASCE-MI’s 2018 Report Card Committee is a group of dedicated civil and environmental engineers from Michigan, who volunteered their time to collect and analyze data, prepare, review, and revise each section, and develop the final Report Card. The committee worked with ASCE’s Committee on America’s Infrastructure and ASCE Infrastructure Initiative staff to provide Michigan with a snapshot of the state of our infrastructure, as it relates to us at home, and on a national basis.
The Report Card Sections are analyzed based on the following eight criteria:
- Capacity
Does the infrastructure’s capacity meet current and future demands? - Condition
What is the infrastructure’s existing and near-future physical condition? - Funding
What is the current level of funding from all levels of government for the infrastructure category as compared to the estimated funding need? - Future Need
What is the cost to improve the infrastructure? Will future funding prospects address the need? - Operation and Maintenance
What is the owners’ ability to operate and maintain the infrastructure properly? Is the infrastructure in compliance with government regulations? - Public Safety
To what extent is the public’s safety jeopardized by the condition of the infrastructure and what could be the consequences of failure? - Resilience
What is the infrastructure system’s capability to prevent or protect against significant multihazard threats and incidents? How able is it to quickly recover and reconstitute critical services with minimum consequences for public safety and health, the economy, and national security? - Innovation
What new and innovative techniques, materials, technologies, and delivery methods are being implemented to improve the infrastructure?
Solutions to Raise the Grade
If Michigan is ready to improve our infrastructure, ASCE-MI has some suggestions to start raising the grade:
Support Innovative Policies
Michigan needs to be a leader in preparing our infrastructure for the future. We are the nation’s gateway to Canada, the Great Lakes state (surrounded by 20% of America’s freshwater), and the home of the automobile. Through investment and modernization, we can lead the way. With the greatest concentration of the auto industry in the world, Michigan must be a leader in freight movement and autonomous vehicles.
To better understand the problems that Michigan’s infrastructure is facing, the state needs more and better data. As recommended by the 21st Century Infrastructure Commission, the Michigan legislature has proposed the creation of the Michigan Infrastructure Council (MIC), which will bring together policy experts, utility and infrastructure owners, regional representatives, finance experts, and statewide department directors to set up a statewide asset management system. This will ultimately lead to the development and publication of a 30-year integrated infrastructure strategy that will be updated every five years. The MIC will also include chairs from existing and future entities of the Michigan Public Services Commission, the Transportation Asset Management Council, and the Water Asset Management Council (a new council proposed by the Michigan legislature). The MIC will lead to greater insights into the condition of Michigan’s infrastructure, the challenges we face in maintaining our infrastructure, and will provide more strategic solutions.
Increase State Funding
The Michigan legislature took the first steps to increasing investment in our transportation network in 2015. To build on this action, the legislature must follow through and appropriate transportation funds in years 2019 to 2021 as promised. Additionally, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is in the process of redesigning the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water Revolving Fund, both of which provide financial support to water systems through federal-state partnerships.
ASCE encourages Michigan citizens to be vocal and reach out to elected officials to let them know Michigan needs consistent and reliable funding to maintain and improve our transportation and water infrastructure and not wait for our systems to fail.
Prioritize Public Health and Safety
“Safety First” must be the approach to all of Michigan’s infrastructure decisions. Integrated asset management is the critical first step in developing a foundation for safe and reliable infrastructure in Michigan. Asset management consists of continually inventorying and assessing the condition of Michigan’s infrastructure so smart investments can be made to improve public health and safety.
Safety can further be improved by properly maintaining Michigan’s infrastructure. Emergency infrastructure repairs are more costly and can lead to property damage, injuries and fatalities. Regular maintenance requires sufficient and reliable sources of funding. Proactive investment in infrastructure yields savings down the line and ensures the health and welfare of Michiganders. Autonomous vehicles have the potential of significantly reducing vehicle crashes that result in injuries and fatalities.
Be Informed, Be Vocal
ASCE’s Michigan Section encourages you to learn more about your community’s infrastructure needs and how your tax dollars are being spent to improve the state’s infrastructure. Attend town halls or legislative events and get to know your elected officials. Use the Report Card for Michigan’s Infrastructure to effectively inform lawmakers and the public about where to direct limited resources and how to improve Michigan’s infrastructure.
Download full version (PDF): 2018 Report Card for Michigan’s Infrastructure
Or view the report online (Infrastructurereportcard.com)
About the Michigan Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers
sections.asce.org/michigan
Established in 1916, the ASCE Michigan Section is one of the largest and most active Sections maintaining over 2,500 members. There are 6 active Branches in Michigan including the Northwest, Western, Saginaw Valley, Southwest, Lansing/Jackson, and Southeast. Civil Engineers in Michigan are encouraged to join ASCE to develop leadership skills, enhance their knowledge of the latest technology and engineering practices, and to network with other civil engineering professionals.
Tags: 2018 Report Card for Michigan's Infrastructure, American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE, MI, Michigan, Michigan Infrastructure Report Card, Michigan Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers
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