Description
there is always cars backed because the city is refusing to replace the bridge now everyone has to wait to turn right You end up sitting through 2-3 lights at any given time.
This is an unaffiliated request
whenever will you fix this darn bridge! ▶ Archived
Avon And Livernois
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Reporter
irritated driver (Guest)
Issue ID:
59974Submitted To:
CommunityCategory:
NoneViewed:
1520 timesNeighborhood:
Rochester HillsReported:
on- Share
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9 Comments
Road Commission (Guest)
This bridge is under the jurisdiction of the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC), not the city.
This is not a case of us refusing to fix the bridge. We would love to replace the bridge (it can't be "fixed," it needs to be replaced). It is a problem of there being no money available to replace the bridge.
This is one symptom of Michigan's much larger road funding crisis. For more than 45 years, Michigan has been among the bottom 10 states in the nation in per capita state and local road funding. In other words, we simply have not invested in our roads and bridges the way other states have, and it's showing. It also means we in Michigan have been paying less to maintain our roads and bridges than residents in most other states, and you get what you pay for. As a result, our roads and bridges are crumbling at an ever-increasing rate. All factors indicate the situation is going to get worse at an increasingly rapid rate in coming years. As we have said before: Take a look at the roads today. This is the best they are going to be for a long time (unless, of course, the state legislature increases road funding by raising the gas tax).
The only funding available to replace a bridge like the Avon bridge is from something called the Local Bridge Fund. Each year, five bridges are funded through this program in the four-county SE Michigan region. All the bridges that compete for this funding are rated and ranked, and those that rank the highest receive the funding. This bridge has not yet ranked high enough to receive funding (which means there are a lot of bridges in worse shape out there).
The best case scenario is that funding could be available in 2013, though we're not optimistic that this will be the case. More than likely it will be at least 2014 before we are able to replace the bridge.
Road Commission for Oakland County
Rotd (Guest)
Road Commission (Guest)
The city is not "refusing to fix the bridge." This bridge is under the jurisdiction of the Road Commission for Oakland County, not the city. However, RCOC and the City have been working together to try to get the bridge replaced as quickly as possible. Funding has been approved from the state's Local Bridge Program to replace the bridge in 2013. However, the Road Commission and the City, working together, were able to get the replacement moved to 2012.
Please understand that the reason lanes are closed on the bridge is due to the unanticipated failure of the bridge structure. This was not a scheduled project.
Road Commission for Oakland County
Kathy (Guest)
xchips (Guest)
Yeah blame Mayor Barnett !!! I guess you have never heard of the group " No New Taxes " who have constantly impeded the ability of the City of Rochester Hills to fund local road projects. Can you please cite additional information on how the " City has fallen apart " under Barnett's leadership ??
The bottom line is that the City of Rochester Hills has one of the lowest tax rate for any City within Oakland County and residents will continue to get what they are willing to pay for.
megan (Registered User)
Hi all-
We love seeing the free exchange of ideas on our forum and appreciate you using our site to voice your concerns. While we definitely encourage dialogue among users, we think it's important to emphasize constructive conversation that focuses on the identification, prioritization, and ultimate resolution of issues; complaining about issues can only get you so far. Let's move this conversation forward with resolution in mind and keep it focused on the initial issue posting.
Keep SeeClickFixing,
Megan
Charlotte (Guest)
Road Commission (Guest)
Charlotte:
The Road Commission is working to move forward funding for the Livernois bridge as well, and we are hopeful it will be replaced in 2013 (the Avon bridge will be replaced in 2012). Unfortunately, funding used for other projects cannot be shifted to this bridge. Federal funding is awarded on a project by project basis, and we cannot arbitrarily re-assign it. It is also awarded by project type. So, funding awarded for a resurfacing project cannot be used for a bridge project. Only funding from the Michigan Local Bridge Fund can be used on these bridges, and there is fierce competition for the scarce Local Bridge Program dollars available.
We understand and share your frustration about the current condition of both bridges and are doing everything in our power to get them replaced as quickly as possible.
- Road Commission for Oakland County
Closed sch911 (Guest)