CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – According to a study, nearly 60% of residential streets are rated as either poor or failed.
The Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating (PASER) study, developed by the state, assists communities in assessing their roads and creating maintenance plans.
Jenni Jewell, a resident who has lived in the area for about two years, shared her frustrations.
“They keep patching it up, but nothing is getting done. We need a new road.” Jewell has already replaced a car due to the road conditions and recently bought a new tire. “I’m not buying a new car because why should I just for it to get messed up?” said Jewell.
Jewell is not alone in her complaints.
Clinton Township recently held a forum to discuss the funding needed to address the poor condition of subdivision roads.
“It seems like we ask, we ask, we ask, and nothing seems to get done,” said one resident.
The study defines “poor” as requiring major overlay, milling, and base repairs. Roads needing reconstruction are rated as “failed.”
The jurisdiction for these roads falls under Macomb County.
Paul Gieleghem, the supervisor of Clinton Township, explained the funding challenges.
“Here’s the problem: the funding formula is called Public Act 51 of 1951. It has not substantially changed since 1951,” he said.
Gieleghem said funding comes from the state through gas taxes and car registrations, which are pooled in Lansing and distributed according to this outdated formula.
Residents are concerned that the situation is worsening, and township leaders understand.
They’re urging residents to contact their state legislator by signing this online form.
Even for people who don’t live in the community, the township is also encouraging Michiganders to copy and paste the form to send to their state lawmakers to advocate for necessary changes.
