Budget includes funding for local road improvements, high-speed and regional transit, and other transportation needs
LANSING, Mich. (May 2, 2023) — Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe) and the Senate Appropriations Committee voted today to pass a number of budget bills, including the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) budget, Senate Bill 178. As Chair of the MDOT Appropriations Subcommittee, Sen. Klinefelt worked with her fellow subcommittee members to provide funding for critical infrastructure projects to help meet the immediate and long-term needs in communities throughout the state.
“Increased funding for local roads is a top priority for me, having spent 24 years in local government,” said Sen. Klinefelt. “We need to make sure all of the roads we drive on—and depend on—are properly funded and maintained, and I will continue to push for this funding throughout the budget process.”
The proposed MDOT budget passed today includes funding for a number of high-speed and regional transit projects to invest in our communities and make it easier for all residents to get around. The budget also includes additional funding for local roads over and above the standard funding formula, as well as one-time funding for critical rail separation to help traffic and rail transit coexist better.
Funding is also included in the budget for Intermodal Capital Investment Grants. These grants will support communities’ capital needs for rail, marine, intercity and local transit infrastructure. Finally, the proposed MDOT budget will help with innovative bus transit and rail projects that support climate-friendly modes of transportation such as bus rapid transit corridors, local transit enhancements, and passenger rail infrastructure.
Today’s passage of these budget bills by the full Senate Appropriations Committee marks another important step in the budget process. The proposed budgets will continue to be negotiated with the full Senate, House and governor’s office.
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