Legislation from state Rep. Julie Alexander ensuring infrastructural projects are more specifically tailored to the needs of communities – and drivers – has been signed into law by the governor.

House Bill 4971, now Public Act 164 of 2020, addresses asset management plans for local road agencies and encourages collaboration among state and local officials. It states local road agencies with more than 100 miles of certified road must remain in compliance with their approved asset management plan. If a local road agency with less than 100 miles of certified road submits an asset management plan, it will be approved upon submission.

“This legislation underscores the value of local input and control with our roadways,” said Alexander, of Hanover. “It also connects local with state to ensure projects – in areas big and small – are getting done where they need to get done and people throughout Michigan have access to better infrastructure. Allowing locals this freedom will provide a more efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars instead of shoehorning those dollars into a one-size-fits-all model at the state level.”

HB 4971 was part of a bipartisan, multi-bill collection of road reforms which provided local options and needed alterations to regulation, ensuring areas throughout the state have versatility when it comes to fixing local roads.

“We can ensure the money we have for roads goes farther with these types of reforms,” Alexander said. “Locals know the infrastructure that needs attention the most and they should have the freedom to formulate plans for how to improve it.”