John Hennessy III,
P.E.
It’s easy to find examples of roads in Michigan that saw repairs just a few years ago and are falling apart again. It’s also easy to see why drivers and taxpayers think shoddy workmanship is to blame. Michigan follows national design and construction standards, and is a leader in roadwork warranties. MDOT can and does build quality roads, but Michigan’s current investment in transportation doesn’t support much more than short-term fixes for our aging system.
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DETROIT BLIGHT REMOVAL TASK FORCE
Eliminating all blight from Detroit is an enormous task, but Detroiters have the inventiveness, grit, and resiliency to get it done. Everyone within city agencies, private business, charitable and cultural organizations, and each resident has a stake and a role in accomplishing this mission. We all must do our part in getting rid of the blight and disinvestment that has held Detroit back from its full potential. We all must help ensure that our city will never experience such neglect again.
Megan Owens is the Executive Director of Transportation Riders United (TRU). TRU is Detroit’s non-profit transit advocate, dedicated to improving and promoting public transit throughout greater Detroit. Founded in 1999, TRU has a strong track record of doing the research, presenting the facts, involving the public, developing the coalitions and educating the leaders needed to achieve quality transit.
“We’ve been able, over the last decade or so, to help change public perception, even here in the Motor City…to an understanding that we do need more and better transit. It is a benefit for our economy and our community and our environment. Now the question is less whether we need to improve transit, but how we need to improve transit.”
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Dan Pitera discusses his work with the Detroit Collaborative Design Center and the University of Detroit Mercy. Key topics include current projects underway in Detroit, strategies for effective citizen engagement, and the need to bring together disparate voices from the community for successful urban design.
“Digital engagement works, but it only works with a certain core group of people who have that technology access. Community meetings work, but they work with a certain group of people. It’s not about developing a tactic that is one-size-fits-all; it’s about developing tactics that connect.”
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TRIP
With a current unemployment rate of 9.0 percent, Michigan must improve its system of roads, highways and bridges to foster economic growth and keep businesses in the state. In addition to economic growth, transportation improvements are needed to ensure safe, reliable mobility and quality of life for all Michiganders. Meeting Michigan’s need to modernize and maintain its system of roads, highways and bridges will require a significant boost in local, state and federal funding.
Poor Boyz Productions takes street skiing to Detroit, Jib City.
Featuring the skiing of Karl Fostvedt, Khai Krepela, and Max Morello.
Filmed by Cody Carter, Jonny Durst, and Japser Newton.
Edited by Cody Carter and Jonny Durst.
CLEAN WATER FUND
Water defines, and is central, to Michigan’s economy. Major tourism, agriculture, and fishing industries depend on the health of rivers, lakes, and streams. The Great Lakes contain over 20% of the world’s usable fresh surface water. Unfortunately unmitigated coal ash pollution is a major threat to the health of the state’s water and economy.
Innovation NewsBriefs
Vol. 24, No. 1
As we enter the New Year (and begin our 24th year of publication), the debate about transportation funding is taking a new turn. Talk of raising the federal gas tax has become muted and even the efficacy of the gas tax itself is being questioned. And no wonder: vehicles are becoming more fuel efficient, CAFE standards are becoming more stringent, vehicle use is leveling off, and hybrids and electric vehicles are expected to slowly but surely increase their market penetration.
What happens if the water in Lake Michigan keeps disappearing? Great Lake humbled by record low water levels. Without a turnaround, shipping, fishing, and whole towns are at risk.
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