Real Estate & Property Law

Rep. Opsommer Speaks Out - Bridge Bill

By Alan Ackerman

    Representative Paul Opsommer is an outstanding member and hard working participant in our legislature.  He is concerned that the P3s will create toll roads.
    The reality in Michigan is that our roads are so horrible, that we may only get this worked out by recognizing that user fees may be the only long term way for us to maintain roads and build new roads when necessary.
    The attack on DRIC, especially the willingness of Canada to provide an interim loan to serve as a basis for opposition, simply does not make sense.  The need for a second bridge is there, and at some point we have to recognize that Windsor has input in our process, even if we do not like it.  

LSJ.com

If taxpayers call an elected official to complain about new toll roads, should they accept "Sorry, it's out of my hands"? Should they accept a tolling contract that was only approved by Michigan Department of Transportation? Should they accept future tolling decisions made as a result of one project in Detroit?

House Bill 4961 is wrongly being understood as the "Detroit River International Crossing bridge" bill. In reality, it changes Michigan law.

Currently MDOT must have bills passed in order lease, toll, or increase user-fees. HB 4961 would strip that and allow MDOT to not only create a bridge in Detroit, but also enter into tolling elsewhere in the state through a "public-private partnership (P3)" that allows third-party tolling.

Full post as published by National Eminent Domain Blog on June 18, 2010 (boomark / email).