Budget includes funding for local road improvements, high–speed and regional transit, and variety of other transportation needs
LANSING, Mich. (May 10, 2023) — Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe) and the full Senate voted today to pass a number of budget-related legislation, including the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) budget, Senate Bill 178. As Chair of the MDOT Appropriations Subcommittee, Sen. Klinefelt and her fellow subcommittee members worked to provide funding for critical infrastructure projects to help meet the immediate and long-term needs in communities throughout the state.
“This budget begins to address the needs to improve our existing infrastructure and roads, bridges, and buses folks use every day while also looking to the future and doing things differently,” said Sen. Klinefelt. “As negotiations move forward, I will continue to advocate for investments that fund local infrastructure needs and improvements as well as innovative transportation solutions like high-speed rail, electric and climate-friendly vehicles and buses and more.”
The proposed MDOT budget passed today includes funding for 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 the MDOT budget and other budget bills by the full Senate marks the culmination of months of work by Sen. Klinefelt and her colleagues, and a turning point in the budget process. The proposed budgets will continue to be negotiated with the House and governor’s office to reach final funding decisions.
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