Just hours after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed selling bonds to begin some repairs to the state’s aging infrastructure, Michigan State Transportation Commission members Thursday morning unanimously gave their endorsement to the concept.

Commission members approved Whitmer’s $3.5 billion bond plan, which would fund 26 new reconstruction projects that currently don’t qualify for funding with existing tax revenue, as well as 23 other projects that now will be enhanced.

It should be pointed out that only one — a culvert replacement slated for 2023 on U.S. 23 in Presque Isle County — is even on the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Revised 5-year Transportation Project List, and that project was already there.

No projects in MDOT’s North Region would be added with the bond money.

“These fixes modernize our transportation system, rather than continuing to cover up old infrastructure with Band-Aids,” said Whitmer in her Rebuilding Michigan proposal.

Perhaps, but not everyone is a fan.

“I agree with the governor that we need to fix our roads, protect our water, prepare our students for success, ensure access to health care, and help more people participate in Michigan’s comeback.,” said state Sen. Jim Stamas. “The difference lies in how we achieve those goals and how we pay for them.

“Bonding concerns me as it takes away road dollars from our local roads to put into the state highways,” Stamas added. “Bonding is a financing mechanism, not a funding source. Rather than focus on a comprehensive proposal to improve roads all across our state, the governor’s plan relies on manipulating debt to fund state highways.”

We have concerns.

But at least some type of infrastructure plan now has been put forth, albeit one that benefits other areas of the state rather than ours.

Still, we are a lot further along this morning regarding road and bridge repairs than we have been for quite some time.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)