Rep. Dianda’s Bill Tracks Transportation Spending

LANSING – State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) introduced House Bill 4886 today that would require the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to do a life-cycle analysis of all road projects with a total material cost that exceeds $1 million.

“As we search for a road funding solution we also need to ensure that we always spend state funds in the most efficient way,” said Dianda. “My bill creates a process to make sure that we look at what the road project costs as it begins and what future costs would be when the road needs repairing or replacing.”

Specifically, Dianda’s bill would require MDOT to develop and implement a life-cycle cost analysis for each construction and reconstruction project where the total pavement costs exceed $1 million, funded in whole or in part with state funds. The life-cycle analysis would include the total cost of the project plus all anticipated costs for subsequent maintenance, repair and resurfacing over the life of the pavement. The life-cycle cost would compare equivalent project designs and would be based on the state’s actual historic project maintenance, repair and resurfacing schedules and costs. The data would then be recorded with the pavement management system. For projects where data may be unavailable, MDOT would use comparable data for equivalent designs from states with similar climates, soil structures and vehicle traffic.

“As I’ve talked with people about how we should go about funding the building, repair and maintenance of our roads, they have told me that they want to know we are spending their money wisely,” said Dianda. “Knowing what the costs of road building and maintenance are now, and what we can expect it to be in the future, means that we get more bang for our buck and that we won’t be wasting money on a road project that may not serve all of our needs.”