Legislation would better focus funding to improve Michigan roads

LANSING, Mich., Sept. 18, 2025 — State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) recently introduced House Bill 4950, legislation to amend Public Act 51 of 1951, directing more road funding to communities with heavy truck traffic. The bill would distribute road funding more scientifically, fairly and effectively based on the actual factors that drive road deterioration as well as the true costs of construction. 

Michigan can’t fix its roads without fixing the formula to allocate funding. Right now, road dollars are distributed under a 74-year-old formula that is long past retirement age. PA 51 was passed in 1951 — before the development of modern 18-wheel semi-trucks and before we had the ability to collect the data necessary to design a rational, evidence-based funding system. 

“PA 51 allocates funding according to three factors: population, vehicle registrations and road miles. While these were a reasonable proxy when President Truman was in office, they are no longer sufficient. The problem with the current funding formula is clear. Infrequently used roads — especially those that see little truck traffic — are among the best in the nation, while the busiest streets in our cities and suburbs are falling apart,” Skaggs said. 

This policy would update PA 51 to modernize Michigan’s funding formula into one that incorporates factors such as traffic load, local geology and drainage, bridge features, regional climate conditions, variations in construction costs and lane miles, among others.  

“Simply spending more won’t work if money is not going where it is most needed,” Skaggs continued. “Any road funding deal must update PA 51 with a system that is fair, scientific and effective — one that prioritizes the roads that are degrading the fastest while still ensuring all Michigan roads are repaired in a timely manner. We need a solution that considers all of the factors of how roads degrade, and what it costs to rebuild them, so that funding can be put to its greatest and best use.”

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