Road and bridge construction spending in Michigan will hit a speed bump this year, as state and federal legislators look to cut government spending wherever possible

The state will be spending about $1.3 billion on road construction in 2003, down from the $1.5 billion that was spent in 2002 and the record $1.54 billion spend in 2001. Compared to some years in the 1990s, when road repairs were severely underfunded, this year's spending level is still robust.

To illustrate how much the state has increased its spending, Michigan only spent an average of $560 million per year on road repairs from 1994-1996.

"We're still doing a lot, but the money we have to spend has been affected by declining federal and state revenues," said Michigan Department of Transportation spokeswoman Stephanie Litaker.

To make the most of the money the state has to spend, new Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has launched a "Fix it First, Fix it Right" initiative. "The idea is that instead of spending money on new construction, we're going to direct our resources to preservation of what we have," Litaker said.

State highway money is released incrementally every month. Nearly $100 million in contracts was released in February. They're paying for projects that include: pavement repairs on US-131 in Grand Rapids and on I-94 near Jackson. Also in the package is reconstruction and streetscape improvements in downtown Perry on M-52 and the removal and construction of a bridge over Dead Creek in Frankenmuth Township.

"We are ready to get started; all we need now is cooperation from Mother Nature," said State Transportation Director Gloria J. Jeff.