LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Mark Huizenga sent a letter Thursday to Michigan Department of Transportation Director Brad Wieferich encouraging him to support a $3 million budget amendment for effective measures to prevent wrong-way accidents on freeway ramps.
“In April, a 63-year-old husband and father was killed by a wrong-way driver traveling south on U.S. 131 and then a Michigan State Police trooper was hit by oncoming traffic while trying to intervene and stop a wrong-way driver on northbound U.S. 131,” said Huizenga, R-Walker. “Clearly, additional steps are necessary to reduce these preventable tragedies. While each wrong-way driver incident is unique, and subject to many different variables, I believe that increased signage, reflective delineators, wrong-way detection systems, and other infrastructure tools are needed.
“These life-saving tools would go a long way toward protecting families in Grand Rapids and all across the state.”
Huizenga’s letter mentions that he proposed an amendment to MDOT’s fiscal year 2024 budget to add $3 million to specifically help fund additional measures to help eliminate the likelihood of wrong-way drivers.
Unfortunately, his amendment did not receive adequate support from the other side of the aisle to be included in the Senate-passed budget bill.
Huizenga asked for support from MDOT to secure the funding in the new state budget.
“When it comes to safety, I believe it is the duty of all public servants to work together to keep our drivers and our families more safe and secure,” Huizenga said. “I remain optimistic that we can come together to make these safety improvements and make a real difference in all our communities.”
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