Michigan needs to double its investment in aging roads as fuel tax revenue continues to decline, according to a new report presented by the Michigan County Road Association.

Watch Whitney Burney's video report: CRA advocates for doubling Michigan road investment as fuel tax revenue declines

The CRA presented findings Tuesday showing that Michigan needs an additional $2.4 billion in road funding on top of the current $2.1 billion provided to the state's 83 counties.

"This is not going away. We need it and we need it now," Chief Deputy Ed Noyola said.

The report, compiled over six months from data collected across all 83 counties, paints a stark picture of Michigan's road conditions.

CEO Denise Donohue said the association examined multiple infrastructure categories in their comprehensive study.

"We looked at the category of bridges. What are the needs for bridges? Buildings and maintenance structures, the act of maintenance itself, we looked at equipment," Donohue said.

Hear more about the report from Ed Noyola and Denise Donohue in the video player below: FULL INTERVIEW: Ed Noyola and Denise Donohue of the County Road Association of Michigan talk about their report and Michigan's road needs

The data reveals significant challenges across Michigan's road network. Of the state's primary roads those eligible for federal funding only 66% meet the threshold for being rated good or fair.

Local roads fare even worse, with just 46% rated as good or fair. The state also faces substantial work on aging bridges.

Noyola identified local roads as the biggest challenge facing the state.

"Our biggest area of need is going to be those local roads. They don't get that extra helping of federal funds. I think that's where people feel it the most. Our needs just on those local roads is $2.1 billion," Noyola said.

Read the Michigan County Road Association report below:

2025 Michigan County Road Investment Plan by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit

The ability to fund road projects is worsening as traditional revenue sources are tapering off. Michigan saw the fewest gallons of gasoline sold in nearly two decades last year, directly impacting fuel tax collections that help fund road maintenance.

Noyola said Michigan has been playing catch-up with other states for years.

"You look at other states that are probably at 30 cents a gallon for fuel tax. We just got there this year. They've been there for 10 years, 12 years, maybe even longer in the Midwest. So we've been under funding for multiple decades and that's what's got us here," Noyola said.

State lawmakers are currently proposing about $3 billion in road funding for Michigan. While lower than what the County Road Association projects is needed, officials say any increase will help address the mounting infrastructure challenges.

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Law enforcement officials and state lawmakers are joining forces to advocate for legislation that would establish mandatory minimum sentences for criminals who flee from police during traffic stops and pursuits.

Watch Whitney Burney's video report: Michigan lawmakers push for tougher penalties on police pursuit fleeing suspects

Rep. Rylee Linting, who represents District 27, and Wyandotte Police Chief Archie Hamilton testified before a judiciary committee Wednesday in support of House Bill 4690, which aims to reduce dangerous police pursuits.

"These restrictive policies just aren't working and there's too many pursuits. A vehicle pursuit is one of the most dangerous things a police officer can do. They're so common and it's no different than shooting a gun down a street," Hamilton said.

Police officials report that the number of suspects fleeing from officers has increased dramatically in the last four to five years, creating dangerous situations for residents, officers and even the fleeing drivers themselves.

"Current penalties in law do not provide an adequate deterrence against this type of unlawful behavior, which is exactly why our Legislature needs to act. This legislation has measured, tiered levels of mandatory minimum punishments that I believe will add a layer of deterrence and protection from this crime," Linting said during the hearing.

The proposed bill would establish a tiered system of mandatory minimum sentences for individuals who flee and elude police. The penalties would range from a 182-day minimum sentence for less serious pursuits to a five-year maximum sentence for the most serious cases resulting in injury or death.

"We have had fatalities and we want them to stop. We face a lot of criticism for allowing our officers to pursue but if we don't allow them to pursue, that is sending the wrong message," Hamilton said.

Just this month, a police chase in Wyandotte resulted in a suspect's death. The department has also seen several crashes where innocent bystanders and officers were left traumatized, injured or worse.

"They will make it clear that they run because they figure the cops are going to turn off the lights and we see it all the time. These criminals will actually make the pursuit more dangerous," Hamilton said.

Hamilton hopes that harsher penalties will result in fewer people deciding to flee when they see police lights.

"There has to be consequences and the severity of punishment matters," Hamilton said.

The bill still needs to be voted out of the judiciary committee. Linting says that although there has been some pushback, they're working with partners to address any shortfalls in the legislation.

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A 31-year-old Detroit man is facing multiple felony charges in connection with a quadruple stabbing at an east side pool party that left two people dead and two others injured.

Daiwan Hopson has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to murder in the Aug. 9 incident on Fleming Street near 7 Mile Road and Dequindre Street.

Watch Whitney Burney's video report below: Detroit man charged with first-degree murder in quadruple stabbing that killed 2

The stabbing occurred just before 10 p.m. when police say a fight broke out at the pool party. Investigators say the altercation ended when Hopson produced a knife and stabbed four people.

Among the victims were 31-year-old Jakirea Williams, who was trying to break up the fight, and 25-year-old Martisha Payne, who was related to Williams. Both died from their injuries.

"He (son) was a mama's boy and he (suspect) don't know what he took from us," said Kimberly Williams, Jakirea's mother.

Williams said her son was an innocent bystander who was only trying to help when the violence erupted.

Previous coverage: Moms of man, woman fatally stabbed at pool party seek justice, DPD offers $5K reward Police need leads in pool party deaths

"That was him, and to be the innocent one trying to break up a fight and have his life taken, it's still unbelievable. We're still trying to wrap our heads around it," Williams said.

After several days of searching, Detroit police arrested Hopson on Aug. 15. The charges he now faces could result in life in prison.

Shannon Everett, Jakirea's godmother, said the family has been devastated by the loss.

"This is the second tragedy in two years for Kim. I can't imagine, as her friend, his godmother, what she's going through," Everett said.

Previous coverage: Neighbors react after 2 killed, 2 hospitalized after stabbing at pool party on Detroit's east side Neighbors react after 2 killed, 2 hospitalized after stabbing at pool party on Detroit's east side

Despite their grief, the family said they are relieved that charges have been filed.

"For him to do that to him, that is just beyond disrespectful. Being a God-fearing woman, I pray he has asked God to forgive him for that," Everett said.

"Like she said, it don't soften the blow, but I'm glad," Williams said.

Hopson is expected to face a judge for arraignment in the coming days.

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Families on Detroit's east side now have access to a new state-of-the-art community recreation center after city leaders officially opened the doors to the renovated Chandler Park Field House.

The sprawling 130,000-square-foot facility underwent a $14 Million renovation using American Rescue Plan Act funds and now features courts for basketball, pickleball and volleyball, along with fields for soccer, lacrosse and football.

Watch below: Get an inside look at the Chandler Park Field House

An exclusive inside look at Detroit's new Chandler Park Dome

"The east side deserves this: $14 million center with basketball, volleyball, soccer, indoor football, a track. This is just phenomenal," Mayor Mike Duggan said.

The opening represents more than just recreational opportunities for area families, according to city leaders.

"The City of Detroit closed 20 recreation centers in the decade leading up to bankruptcy and one by one, we've been reopening them and this is the biggest one yet. This east side community hasn't had an indoor recreation center in decades and now they do," Duggan said.

East side resident Linda Driscoll, who has lived in the neighborhood for over 20 years, watched the construction progress daily.

"I've been seeing it as I go past every day and looking forward to it. Just excited for advancement in the neighborhood because I've been here over 20 years," Driscoll said.

Driscoll brought her grandchildren to explore the new facility on opening day.

"Looking forward for things for them to play in and get involved more sports. Keep 'em busy after school and stuff," she said.

"It was really nice. I like how it looks. It's nice. I like the field and I play football," one of Driscoll's grandchildren said.

Iris Whiting, another community member checking out the facility, expressed excitement about Detroit's progress.

"We just came to see everything. Detroit is really doing it now," Whiting said.

Programming at the facility will begin Monday, Sept. 8.

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