To say many metro Detroit roads are absolutely awful is a major understatement.
We all want them fixed, but it all comes down to money. The state of Michigan does not have enough dough to spare.
7 Action News talked one-on-one wth a mayor and a city manager on how they hope to fix what is badly broken. The city of Sterling Heights has a plan. The question is: Will the people want to pitch in?
The proposal involves citizens shelling out some coin: $92 per homeowner, for one year.
We’re told it would be used as an emergency tax supplement to tackle the hardest hit roads in Sterling Heights.
“I understand, when the government asks for money, they’re reluctant, because they don’t trust us," says Mayor Michael Taylor.
We’re told, if the citizens approve it, the $4.3 million in new city money would work miracles for our miserable roads. The goal would be to by strip them down and do an asphalt overlay or concrete.
“Roads are underfunded in Michigan, especially in southeast Michigan, there’s not a question about it, there’s no sense debating it," says City Manager Mark Vanderpool.
The mayor says, with the state, country and federal government adding to the people’s money, Sterling Heights is looking at more than $12 million in road repair money.
Taylor vows that his is a one time emergency tax supplement and tells 7 Action News he would vote against it on a budget for a second year.
