Cass County starts reverting roads to gravel
CASS COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Transportation officials in Cass County say they can't afford to repair asphalt roads, so they're turning them to gravel.
The Road Commission manager says the money that the county needs comes from the state gas tax, but as the cost of fixing the roads has gone up, the money has not.
It costs the county $80,000 just to repair half an asphalt street.
Those who live in Cass County consider it a terrible situation.
“I haven't driven on it since they put dirt on it,” said Brenda Gearhart, who lives on a gravel road. “Why would I drive on another dirt road? This is 2010 and we are going backwards I think.”
Several counties in West Michigan have been choosing to turn their asphalt roads to gravel.
Officials say gravel roads are simply cheaper and easier to maintain.
