Street Millage

Photos of Huron Parkway and Broadway Bridges Reconstruction Projects

On November 7, 2006, City of Ann Arbor voters adopted of a new 2-mill Street Reconstruction Millage for five years (2007-2011). For nearly 25 years, the city has used street reconstruction millage dollars, augmented with matching funds from federal and state grants, as the principal funding sourse for resurfacing and reconstruction of City streets and bridges. Federal and state funds available to cities and townships for qualified major road reconstruction projects do require local matching funds. With its Street Reconstruction Millage, the City of Ann Arbor has been able to take full advantage of available federal and state funds for completing road reconstruction projects.

This is a 2-mill rate where the annual levy amount paid by household is based on the taxable value of the property. Because of Michigan tax laws, the relationship of taxable value to market value varies by property depending in part on property history. The 2007 levy amount for a property with a taxable value of $95,000 is $190. By operation of law, the 2-mill rate will be rolled back in subsequent years during the five years the millage will be in effect.

The City of Ann Arbor maintains approximately 200 miles of residential streets, 100 miles of major streets and 13 bridges. Because of the frequent changes in local temperatures, roads in Southeast Michigan experience severe freeze and thaw cycles, which greatly impact life span. Many of our roads need new asphalt surfacing after 15 to 20 years, and need complete reconstruction after 30 years.

Prior to the 1980s, Ann Arbor had no dedicated funds for street reconstruction. The overall condition of the roads was very poor. As a means to improve the quality of our road transportation system, citizens approved the first Street Reconstruction Millage in 1984. Following this, in 1988, 1991, 1996, 2001, and in 2006 the voters of Ann Arbor approved the collection of 2 mills annually for five years each for the reconstruction of streets.

Millage facts:

The Street Resurfacing Millage is utilized to resurface or reconstruct the City’s existing roads. This millage does not pay for the addition of new roads or to pave gravel roads.
Onroad bike lanes are resurfaced with street resurfacing projects and benefit from a smoother ride and new pavement markings for safety.
Pedestrian Refuge Islands such as those on Plymouth Road, Green Road and Platt Road are included in Street Reconstruction Millage projects. Pedestrian Refuge Islands improve safety for residents who need to cross wide streets.
Construction of new sidewalks and “off-road” bike paths are not included in the millage, but accessible street corner ramps are included.
Normal street maintenance, such as repair of potholes and snow removal, are not included in this millage.
Most removed asphalt is recycled and used for new road construction projects.

Recent Street Resurfacing/Reconstruction Projects paid for with Street Millage

Broadway Bridges Reconstruction
Eisenhower Parkway Bridge Rehabilitation
S. Main Street/Ann Arbor-Saline Road Intersection Improvements Project
Huron Parkway Reconstruction - Phase V
Huron Parkway Bridge Painting and Huron Parkway/Geddes Avenue Intersection Improvements
2002-2007 Annual Resurfacing Programs
West Stadium Blvd. (Maple to Pauline)
Platt Rd. (Packard to Ellsworth)

Future Projects to be paid for with Street Millage

West Stadium Blvd (Pauline to S. Seventh)
E. Stadium Boulevard Improvements Project (S. Seventh to S. Industrial Highway)
Huron River Dr. (Bird to N. Main)
Huron Pkwy (Plymouth to Nixon) and Nixon Rd (Plymouth to Huron Pkwy) Improvement Project

For more information, please e-mail: projectmgt@a2gov.org