Photo by Ben Solis/Michigan Advance Construction workers, labor and business leaders rally for a sustainable road funding solution in the coming fiscal year budget. Sept. 3.

LANSING — Several thousand construction workers, union members and business leaders gathered Wednesday at the state Capitol building with a message for lawmakers as delayed budget negotiations continue: Do your jobs and find a sustainable solution to Michigan’s looming road funding cliff.

Michigan roads face dire consequences if a legislative roads funding plan isn’t a part of the coming fiscal year budget. Many of the road projects that were funded by bonds during the tenure of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are coming to a close with no clear plan to continue construction after that funding lapses.

On Wednesday, thousands of workers raised their voices to hopefully shake Lansing loose from its current gridlock.

“Michigan cannot afford any more delays in enacting a long-term road funding plan,” said Rob Coppersmith, executive vice president of the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association. “If lawmakers fail to act now, thousands of construction workers will lose their livelihoods and Michigan families will pay the price every time they drive on our crumbling and deteriorating roads. The time for debate has passed, and Michiganders are demanding a solution now.”

A construction worker listens as a labor leader speaks at a rally for a sustainable road funding solution in the coming fiscal year budget. Sept. 3, 2025 | Photo by Ben Solis/Michigan Advance

The Michigan Department of Transportation has been sounding the alarm bell on what the state’s roads and bridges might look like without a new sustainable funding model.

In a review of critical unfunded infrastructure needs across the state, MDOT said more than 100 state trunkline bridges are at risk of closure by 2035 if lawmakers don’t act soon to fund road repairs and rebuilds. The department also said last month that the potential for bridge closures statewide would have a daily impact on more than 1.8 million drivers and the roadways they serve.

There’s also talk of job losses by the thousands due to the potential stoppage in road construction as the budget fight continues on.

Although Whitmer and the Republican-controlled state House of Representatives have both put forward plans to fund roads in the next budget, with the latter plan amounting to $3.4 billion, the Democratic-led Michigan Senate has yet to put up a plan of its own.

The House initially refused to pass a full budget, and only moved its plan to fund K-12 and higher education. But the chamber finally passed a full government budget last week, placing the ball in the Senate’s court to move on road funding so negotiations can begin in earnest.

Meanwhile, the budget clock ticks downward with just weeks to go before a potential government shutdown begins Oct. 1.

At the rally, Arlandar Washington, business manager with LiUNA Local 355, said the consequences went beyond busted tires and bumpy rides of poorly maintained bridges, it meant the loss of labor careers for hardworking families.

“When we invest in infrastructure, we’re not just building roads and bridges, we’re building careers,” Washington said. “Every time we fund a road project, we’re putting real people to work. … Jobs you can raise a family on. The best part is, these are jobs that can’t be outsourced. You can’t ship a broken road to another country. These jobs belong right here in Michigan.”

Construction workers, labor and business leaders rally for a sustainable road funding solution in the coming fiscal year budget. Sept. 3, 2025 | Photo by Ben Solis/Michigan Advance

Washington also asked lawmakers to “turn off the scoreboard,” and to take a step in the right direction or face consequences at the ballot box next year.

“Being in lockstep is not getting this done,” Washington said. “We need Lansing to stop finger pointing and to start the road paving and building and bridge building. … Today, we rally. Tomorrow, we will organize. And come Election Day, we will remember.”

Lansing Mayor Andy Schor said cities like his need help from state government to fund dire road repairs.

“I don’t want to hear from folks about busted axles. I don’t want to hear about freeze-thaw and breaking up the potholes,” Schor said. “I’ll fix your pothole in 48 hours, but that doesn’t fix the roads.”

Jim Holcomb, CEO and president of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, said new road funding was vitally important for businesses around Michigan, whether they be small mom and pop shops to global competitors.

“[We are] united by one fact, Michigan cannot grow but on well constructed, and properly maintained, reliable roads,” Holcomb said. “My members sent me here today with a simple message – properly funding our roads is essential to supporting our economy, supporting job creation and ensuring Michigan is well positioned to be a great state.”

Jim Holcomb, president and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, speaks at a rally where construction workers, labor and business leaders gathered to support a sustainable road funding solution in the coming fiscal year budget. Sept. 3, 2025 | Photo by Ben Solis/Michigan Advance

Holcomb said that as roads continue to crumble, Michigan’s ability to attract new talent and investments from outside companies would whither, all while driving up supply costs on businesses already here.

“Make no mistake, we are at a crossroads,” Holcomb said. “The time for action is now. Every day, month or year that passes without action is making the problem worse because it leads to higher construction costs in the future.”

Some of the budget fight has hinged on whether the Democrats in the Senate will ultimately agree to cutting large sums from schools or other priorities to fund roads. Holcomb on Wednesday urged lawmakers to look at every single expenditure in state government and prioritize spending on roads.

“This isn’t a Republican or Democratic issue; it’s not a labor or a management issue,” Holcomb said. “It’s a Michigan issue and it must be solved in a way that makes Michigan economically competitive.”

Traffic is routed to a detour on Capitol Avenue in downtown Lansing as construction workers, labor and business leaders rally for a sustainable road funding solution in the coming fiscal year budget. Sept. 3, 2025 | Photo by Ben Solis/Michigan Advance

At least two Democratic lawmakers were in attendance at the rally: state Rep. Joey Andrews of St. Joseph and state Rep. Alabas Farhat of Dearborn.

Republican state Rep. Jay DeBoyer of Clay was leaving the Capitol just as the rally was set to begin. He told Michigan Advance that the image of thousands of construction workers crying out for legislative action sent a clear message.

“This is about what the core principles of government are, and it’s fixing and funding infrastructure,” DeBoyer said. “Obviously, it’s also about public safety and education, as well, but this right here is a great demonstration of how the people of Michigan feel, and I couldn’t agree more. We’ve got to get it done.”