If you’re a frequent road traveler, you know there is an all-too-common expression that is not exclusive to Michigan. That is, “Our state has two seasons: winter and construction.” Even that is not necessarily true. Some construction lasts well into late fall when snow is often already flying and, in many cases, piling up. Why? Why not start earlier and finish earlier?
The frustrating thing to me is that I have been trapped in more than my share of construction zones where traffic is backed up for miles. Then, when I finally reach the source of the delay, there are rarely any construction workers in sight. I often ask myself, “What was that all about? Where is everyone?” Yet, somehow the road projects always get completed – eventually.
“As frustrating as road construction can be, this doesn’t happen overnight or without some inconvenience to motorists.”
On a recent trip to visit family south of Ann Arbor, I was delayed by construction on M-14 on my return trip. It was stop-and-go as far as the eye could see. While I sat there, I started thinking about these road projects. It’s kind of fascinating that there are people, civil engineers I assume, whose job it is to design or redesign major roadways, plan every aspect – from the design to all the nuts and bolts – details like where and how to redirect traffic, which equipment and materials to use, number of employees and length of time needed to complete each part of the project, and more.
Then, there are the people who figure out the cost of these road projects, many of which involve multi-millions of dollars, acquire the funding and gain necessary approvals, which often include state and local government units, hence a likely reason for the lengthy delays.
At any rate, instead of getting angry, I will try to be more patient and be happy for all the aforementioned people who have good jobs and job security since construction never goes away. And it’s not only the engineers, but all the skilled trade workers on construction sites.
In 2018, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ran for election telling voters it was time to “fix the damn roads.” According to Michigan.gov, by the end of the current construction season, Michigan will have fixed nearly 23,000 lane miles of road and 1,600 bridges. The focus is to rebuild with the right mix and materials, so that they stay fixed, supporting 89,000 good-paying construction jobs along the way. As frustrating as road construction can be, this doesn’t happen overnight or without some inconvenience to motorists.
My only hope is that if AI ever takes over any of these jobs, that top quality work and public safety are of utmost concern. I don’t want to drive to Ann Arbor and end up in Cleveland! But as long as there are living humans doing the work, let’s follow the signs and “Give ‘em a Brake” AND a “break.”
