It’s time to decide how Michigan rolls.

Last October, Governor Snyder called for some bold new ideas about how we invest in Michigan’s transportation system, from roads, bridges, bicycles, buses and trains. And next Thursday at 4:00 PM, here at the MLUI office, folks around the Traverse City region can weigh in on some of those ideas.

On Aug. 30 folks around the Traverse City region can weigh in on how we invest in Michigan’s transportation system, from roads, bridges, bicycles, buses and trains.

Prompted by the Governor’s call for a “broad conversation” with local communities and citizens to “develop a plan for Reinventing Michigan’s Infrastructure,” the Transportation for Michigan coalition is holding these forums to help move that process along.

The broad coalition, which includes us here at the Institute, decided to hold these forums in communities across the state designed to help the Governor and the legislature craft a vision for Michigan’s transportation investment.

“Governor Snyder said during his special message on transportation last year that he wanted to start a statewide conversation to help guide transportation policy and make it a vital component of our economic recovery,” said Kathryn Gray, coordinator of the Trans4M coalition. “These forums will help deliver the needs and wishes of Michiganders to Gov. Snyder and other key policymakers.”

Coalition members so far have heard from hundreds of people in nine different communities around the state including Ann Arbor, Detroit, East Lansing, and Muskegon.

During the Traverse City Forum, Transportation for Michigan members will introduce the coalition and its principles, then ask audience members for input on transportation priorities and a statewide vision. It will also be an opportunity to learn about how you can become better engaged and provide more input into the transportation planning process.

The forum will include a discussion with State Representative Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City), where I hope we can have a frank discussion about transportation funding reform and creating more local options for investing in transportation.

Additional forums will be held next week in Jackson and Escanaba.

For more info on the forums and the Transportation for Michigan (Trans4M) coalition, check out www.trans4m.org.

James Bruckbauer is the Michigan Land Use Institute’s transportation policy specialist. Follow him on Twitter at @jimbruckb. Reach him at james@mlui.org. MLUI is a member of the broad, statewide Transportation for Michigan (Trans4M) coalition that is working to create a stronger Michigan through transportation policy reform.