Q:   DOES OAKLAND COUNTY HAVE SPECIAL ROAD PROBLEMS?

A:   There are at least four factors that make Oakland County's road problems unique. These factors are:

1. Oakland County is located in a state that simply does not invest in roads.

2. Oakland County is a donor county. Oakland County doesn't get back all the funds that it generates and sends to Lansing; it subsidizes the more rural counties in Michigan.

3. Construction costs are higher in Oakland County than in other areas of the state. This is due to soil problems (such as wetlands) and high land values. Because land costs are higher, it is more expensive to acquire rights-of-way for roads in Oakland County.

4. Oakland County's roads have some of the highest traffic volumes in the state. Growth and economic development continue in Oakland County, bringing more and more traffic. Unfortunately, that development does not directly generate additional funding to improve the roads so that they can handle the increased traffic

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