Beaver Island Michigan

pbona wrote: ↑Fri Dec 12, 2025 7:53 am Better than lung silicosis, washboard car repairs, and our tax dollars going to road grading and dust remediation. Please pave all the way to Hannigan and other high traffic areas. Gravel was quaint while the population was low. Now travel at unsafe speeds and reduced visibility in dust clouds is just plain dangerous. Tar and chip works in our medium-low traveled byroads with normal to heavy loads and heavy farm harvesting equipment at posted speeds of 45mph on the mainland. I'm tired of being a CHVX second class taxpayer.

pbona wrote: ↑Sun Dec 14, 2025 7:54 am Reality Check. Safety first. The Island population HAS already changed. Unless you wish to hold mandatory "Amy" driving classes, or stringently enforce safer driving by changing speed limits or increasing law enforcement, we will continue to endanger the health of children, the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. Islands like Madeline Island and Washington Island have not lost any of their beauty or character by having paved roads. You can still wave on a paved road, but you will have your window down and head out of the dust. East Side Drive and Mcauley road are unsafe from June to September. Ask anyone who has tried to pull out of their driveway or has had to drive at 5mph over washboard roads to avoid shaking loose fillings or been passed on a gravel road by someone going 50mph. Yes, it would be nice to have the aura of 1972, but it is 2025 and not at the sacrifice of our quality of life. Health and safety are not a convenience. I say this while understanding the difficulty of paying for these projects, but they could be achieved incrementally. Island labor, contractors and materials could reduce cost and provide much needed jobs. Municipal Bonds could be used for long term funding. Federal grants are also available. You have a ferry system and an airport because of them, Why not improve the roads? If you want nostalgia, bring back the Island spirit of self reliance and the ingenuity of the people who built corduroy roads.

"Tar and chip (or chip seal) typically costs $2 to $5 per square foot, depending on layers, location, and prep work; it's generally cheaper than asphalt but pricier than just gravel, often offering a rustic look with less maintenance than concrete. A single layer might be $2-$3/sq. ft., while a double layer could hit $3-$5/sq. ft. or more, with costs influenced by oil prices and stone selection.
Cost Breakdown & Factors
Average Range: Expect to pay in the $2–$5 per square foot range for a standard installation.
Single vs. Double: A single seal coat is around $2–$3/sq. ft., while a double seal can be $3–$5/sq. ft. or higher.
Factors Influencing Price:
Location & Labor: Costs vary by region and local labor rates.
Oil Prices: Asphalt prices fluctuate with oil commodity costs, affecting overall expense.
Stone Choice: Different colored or textured stones impact the final price.
Base Preparation: Installing over existing material in good shape is cheaper than a full base install.

"Direct Project Funding:
The core purpose of issuing municipal bonds is to get immediate capital for critical infrastructure projects instead of waiting years to save the necessary funds through current tax revenues. This allows immediate action on pressing public needs. Michigan, for example, has issued billions of dollars in bonds specifically to address its road and bridge infrastructure needs.
Spreading Costs Over Generations: By using bonds that mature in 10, 20, or even 30 years, the financial burden of these substantial projects is spread across multiple generations of users who will benefit from the improved infrastructure. Future drivers who pay gas taxes or tolls are effectively helping to service the debt incurred today.
Two Primary Bond Types: The funds for roads typically come from two main types of municipal bonds:
General Obligation (GO) Bonds: These are backed by the full faith and credit of the issuing government entity, which has the power to tax its residents to ensure repayment of the bonds. These are generally considered very safe.
Revenue Bonds: These are more specific; they are not backed by general taxing power but by the revenues generated by the project itself, such as tolls from a new highway or bridge. The BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Infrastructure Fund, for instance, specifically mentions its focus on these kinds of revenue-generating bonds. "

Key Federal Grant Programs
Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (RSTG): Created by the IIJA, this program (FY22-26) funds rural road, bridge, tunnel, and safety projects, focusing on connectivity, economic growth, and quality of life.
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A): A competitive grant program for local, regional, and Tribal efforts to prevent roadway fatalities and serious injuries, with significant funds still available.
RAISE & INFRA Grants: Discretionary grants for large-scale projects of national significance, often combined in Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) Notices, which can include significant rural road and bridge improvements.
Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG): Provides flexible funding to states for various projects, including rural roads, bridges, and transit.
Build America Bureau: Offers TIFIA loans ((like the Rural Project Initiative for smaller projects) and technical assistance for rural and Tribal projects.