The following statement can be attributed to Rob Coppersmith, executive vice president of the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association (MITA), following Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address:
“Tonight’s State of the State underscored something Michigan hasn’t seen in decades: real, bipartisan investment in our roads and bridges. We applaud Governor Whitmer and the Legislature for coming together in 2025 to deliver meaningful new funding that is helping communities move projects forward, improve safety for drivers, support thousands of construction jobs, and strengthen the backbone of our economy. For the first time in a generation, Michigan isn’t just talking about fixing the roads – we’re putting real dollars behind that promise.
“But let’s be honest: decades of underinvestment dug a deep hole, and the progress we made last year won’t fill it. If we truly want safe, reliable roads and bridges — smooth rides that don’t wreck suspensions in every corner of the state — we fell short of that goal. What was passed last year was the art of the possible under difficult circumstances. It was a meaningful step forward, but it was not the finish line. This work is far from over.
“We must stay committed to long-term, sustainable infrastructure funding that moves Michigan forward on every front. Every new legislature should be challenged to build on this progress — to replace and maintain our systems on time, strengthen our economy, and deliver the quality of life Michiganders deserve.
“The hole is deep. The job isn’t done. And we can’t afford to pretend it is.”