Michigan Rural Council

Connecting rural America with improved transportation systems is a major challenge for the nation as a whole. With the federal transportation reauthorization bill pending, the nation has an opportunity to modernize, strengthen and integrate the transportation systems that connect rural people and places to each other and urban commercial centers, while protecting the landscapes, habitat and livelihoods of rural communities.  The National Rural Assembly working group on transportation has developed a group position paper outlining the following recommendations in relation to the reauthorization of a federal transportation bill.

MRC has determined that infrastructure and transportation improvements are essential to enhancing the economic viability of rural communities.  To this end, MRC will advocate for a fair allocation of funding for rural Michigan (both state and federal) and that these funds are used to:

• Fund projects that utilize local community involvement in planning and development of proposed projects;
• Provide for the repair and upkeep of existing infrastructure before expanding road infrastructure;
• Fund projects that promote regional transportation and land use plans that better connect rural communities and urban centers;
• Fund projects that promote walkable neighborhoods, strong downtowns and bike paths that connect to neighboring communities;
• Fund Amtrak service to link rural and urban communities;
• Expand intercity passenger rail service and support recreational train services for rural cultural economic development; and
• Fund rural transit and para-transit services.