Reps. DeRossett, Casperson, Acciavatti, Adamini, Bisbee, Brandenburg, Brown, Caswell, Clack, Ehardt, Farhat, Garfield, Hager, Hoogendyk, Jamnick, Julian, LaJoy, Lipsey, Meyer, Pappageorge, Richardville, Sak, Sheltrown, Spade, Stahl, Stallworth, Taub, Vagnozzi, Vander Veen, Voorhees and Zelenko offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 95.

A resolution to memorialize Congress to support funding for the widening and resurfacing of the M 50 to US 12 segment of US 127.

            Whereas, The Michigan International Speedway (MIS), which attracts 600,000 visitors annually, is the largest sporting venue in Michigan.  Michigan International Speedway has accepted its role as a corporate citizen with pride for the last 35 years; and

            Whereas, Fifty-five percent of MIS season ticket holders are from outside the state of Michigan, with season ticket holders in 47 states and 12 foreign countries.  The indirect economic impact of the Michigan International Speedway to Michigan’s economy exceeds $500 million dollars annually.  With over 50% of the race weekend business coming from outside the state, a substantial amount of money is brought into Michigan’s economy from the surrounding area; and

            Whereas, In 2002, a resurfacing project was completed on US 127 from M 50 North to Interstate 94, which has caused a deterioration in the roadway south of M 50 to US 12; and

            Whereas, Traffic counts escalate annually, averaging 20,000 vehicles per day, and they spike drastically during the three race weekends at Michigan International Speedway; and

            Whereas, Traffic engineers routinely specify a four-lane highway as mandatory for traffic volumes that exceed 17,500 on a daily basis; and 

            Whereas, Transportation planners project that without any new development, traffic counts along US 127 in Jackson County will range from 31,000 to 51,000 vehicles daily; and

            Whereas, The number of vehicle accidents occurring on US 127 is unacceptably high, with an annual average of 311 occurring annually.  Of this number, 248 occur on the road segment between M 50 and US 12; and

            Whereas, The state of Michigan has recognized the increasing problems associated with traffic pressure on US 127 since 1994, when it was specifically cited in the Michigan Long-Range Plan; and

            Whereas, Roadway expansion for US 127 in Jackson County has previously been permitted and does not require an environmental impact study; and

            Whereas, Improvements to US 127 from M 50 to US 12 will both improve community safety and enhance economic development efforts; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize Congress to enact legislation to support funding for the widening and resurfacing of the M 50 to US 12 segment of US 127; and

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.