Tell MDOT Michigan Mobility 2050 plan must work for all Michiganders!
Once every five years, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) decides the state’s transportation priorities for the next 25 years. While they claim the Mobility 2050 plan is an inclusive “all modes” transportation plan that emphasizes values of safety, accessibility, economic vitality, and preservation, there are no action plans or meaningful requirements that they do so! MM2050 (supposedly) guides MDOT’s priorities and project funding but includes no commitments to actually boost investment in safety or accessibility.
The plan says many great things about the importance of safety, equity, and multimodality and acknowledges climate neutrality goals and where gaps exist in the plan. MDOT knows what’s important and what is needed to push transportation forward in Michigan… so why aren’t they doing it?
These next two weeks are our chance to make our voices heard, show what people truly care about, and influence Michigan’s transportation for decades to come!
We identified some recommendations such as incorporating meaningful multimodal metrics, clarifying the internal decision-making processes (who do we turn to when we have a problem after the comment period), and adopting true preservation and maintenance priorities that don’t include highway expansion.
Take Action Now
You can read the full plan here or use our simple tool (insert action alert link) to edit and submit comments telling MDOT to fix their plan by September 25th.
Sample message:
I applaud MDOT’s recognition in the draft MM2050 of the importance of a multimodal transportation system that provides multiple travel options for all users, while improving safety and minimizing climate pollution. I urge MDOT to improve the final MM2050 to:
- Incorporate meaningful performance measures for improving transit, bicycle, and pedestrian access and reliability
- Articulate an action and funding plan to meet Michigan’s commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2050
- Adopt a “fix-it-first” requirement that funds safety, mobility, and road maintenance before expanding any roads
- Develop a transparent process for major investment decisions that clearly incorporates MM50 values
Send comments to: [email protected]