FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2025

Contact: John Sellek
jbs@harborstrategic.com

LANSING, Mich. – The American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC/Michigan) today announced the kickoff of a grassroots effort to encourage a bipartisan legislative solution to Michigan’s road funding crisis by connecting thousands of motorists with their state legislators.

ACEC/Michigan, part of a national organization representing nearly 6,000 firms which employ more than 600,000 engineers, architects, and land surveyors, strongly supports legislators in Lansing coming to a bipartisan compromise to ensure Michigan roads have adequate funding for repairs, now that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s $3.5 billion road bonding program is starting to wind down.

Engineering Solutions for Michigan's Road Funding Crisis

To help make this a reality, ACEC/Michigan’s "Engineering Solutions for Michigan's Road Funding Crisis" effort will contact residents across the state by phone, educating them about the stalemate in Lansing and offering to immediately connect them with state senate offices via phone.

By facilitating direct citizen contact with legislators, ACEC/Michigan hopes to encourage the state senate, state house, and Governor Whitmer to quickly come to a negotiated bipartisan budget solution that adequately funds road maintenance and construction efforts in our state.

ACEC/Michigan is not advocating for any particular funding mechanism.

Instead, the organization seeks to encourage state senators and other legislators to stay at the bargaining table until a final compromise deal is hammered out as soon as possible.

What drove Michigan into this road funding crisis?

In 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer implemented her plan to raise additional road funds by selling $3.5 billion in bonds for a one-time shot in the arm for our infrastructure needs. This influx of funds has been successful, bringing the percentage of Michigan roadways in “Poor” condition from 25% to just about 20%, according to the most recent data available.

With the last of those bond dollars for continuing road maintenance and construction demands coming to a close, an adequate replacement funding plan is a must if we are to avoid letting our roads decline and crumble, setting our state back in the fight for quality roads and bridges, safe routes for school buses, clear paths for public safety and economic development projects that may go to other states.

ACEC/Michigan Executive Director Ron Brenke 

“A long-term road funding plan is the kind of investment lawmakers should be focusing on for the sake of all Michiganders,” said Ron Brenke, Executive Director, ACEC/Michigan. “Every time a child safely reaches their school or a worker gets to their job on time, good roads are quietly making life better for Michigan families.” 

“We hope that by facilitating conversations between citizens and their Senators, we can help engineer a solution to this road funding crisis before it’s too late.”

While ACEC/Michigan is working to connect thousands of Michiganders with their senators, millions more can make a difference on their own today.

All Michiganders are encouraged to reach out to their local State Senate office to make their voice heard on this budget issue.

To obtain the contact information for your local State Senator, head to the Michigan Senate website and use its “Find Your Senator” option to get involved. 

ABOUT THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES

The American Council of Engineering Companies is the business voice of America’s engineering industry. We represent nearly 6,000 firms employing more than 600,000 engineers, architects, land surveyors, highly trained specialists, and licensed professionals who design and improve our world.

ACEC’s primary mission is to strengthen the business environment for our member firms to deliver their essential professional services to improve our world.

Find out more at https://www.acecmi.org/.

###