Michigan legislators received a stern warning when bottles filled with the remains of Lake Montcalm Road in Montcalm County were delivered to their state offices today.
"This is a pretty creative way of getting the point across to the legislature they need to figure out a way to get more funding for roads," said Jim Lillo, engineer-manager for the Bay County Road Commission.
The bottles contained millings collected when the road was pulverized and turned back to gravel due to lack of funding, a cost-saving move now occurring in 24 Michigan counties, according to the Michigan Transportation Team, a bipartisan partnership of business, labor, local government, associations and citizens linked with the common goal of improving Michigan's transportation infrastructure.
"Delivering this 'message in a bottle' draws critical attention to the immediate need for our roads to be fixed," Mike Nystrom, co-chair of MTT, said in a news release. "No excuses, Fix MI Roads. That's our message and it continues to be the message of Michigan's employers, taxpayers and drivers."
Due to funding shortfalls, counties throughout Michigan have been forced to return once-smoothly paved roads back to gravel. "With proper funding, Michigan roads can be maintained, and further pulverizations can be avoided," said Nystrom.
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BAY CITY NEWS:
http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2009/06/county_road_officials_in_michi.html