Michigan’s potholes are the third worst in the nation, according to a recent study.
The study by QuoteWizard organized states by Google search statistics from 2004 to 2022, looking at the average number of pothole complaints and repairs.
The study ranked Michigan behind only Washington and Indiana. Three Michigan cities were included in the study as cities with the highest search numbers: Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Lansing.
Michigan Department of Transportation spokesperson Tim Fischer told Bridge Michigan the state spends up to $7 million a year to fill approximately 400,000 potholes.
According to the state’s Traffic Asset Management Council, 22.8% of Hillsdale’s roads are in good condition, compared to 21.4% for the state of Michigan overall, while 59.5% of Hillsdale’s roads are in poor condition, compared to Michigan’s 42.4%.
Hillsdale City Manager Dave Mackie said Hillsdale has 1.18 miles of road rehabilitation planned for 2022.
“The City of Hillsdale is actively addressing the road infrastructure conditions by continuing to complete both street rehabilitation and preventative maintenance projects,” Mackie said. “With additional millage funds and the implementation of special assessment districts, starting in 2021, the city completed 1.26 miles of rehabilitation projects. In 2022 we have planned 1.18 miles of rehabilitation and potentially some additional preventative maintenance work.”
The 2022 projects will be on South Howell Street from Hallett Street to the southern city limits, Morry Street from Walnut Street to South Howell Street and Lynwood Boulevard from South Howell Street to Reading Avenue and Uran Street from Arch Dive to Industrial Drive.
On March 2, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive to speed up pothole repairs along state trunkline highways through the Michigan Department of Transportation.
While M-99 falls under this description, Mackie said there is no new information about whether that road is a part of the repair process.
“MDOT generally has a very definitive five-year plan and we are not aware that we are on that list currently, however with new orders from the governor’s office that may change but no information has been shared with us at this time,” Mackie said.
