Gov. Snyder holds up a piece of concrete that fell from a bridge in Michigan after signing the road funding bill.

LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation that will restore Michigan’s crumbling roads and bridges, in part by ensuring taxes paid by consumers at the gas pump are dedicated to that purpose.

The initiative, which requires voter approval, would end years of financial neglect that have plagued Michigan’s deteriorating infrastructure by providing a long-term funding source. The multifaceted plan also benefits Michigan by generating additional dollars for education, local governments and recreational opportunities; and by giving low-income families a tax break.

“Michigan’s roads and bridges put lives at risk, drain family budgets and impede job growth,” Snyder said. “But we have an opportunity to change that. This plan makes long-term investments that will give motorists a safe, modern transportation system. It is a fair, thoughtful proposal that incorporates taxpayer protections and public transparency.

 “Our lawmakers deserve credit for confronting this challenge,” he added. “This initiative reflects the spirit of bipartisanship and compromise that is the hallmark of Michigan’s reinvention. With the public’s support, we’ll bring our roads and bridges up to date, which means greater prosperity for our state and its families.”

Michigan hasn’t updated its overall investment in roads since the gas tax was adjusted in 1997.

If approved by voters, the Legislature’s action would raise an estimated $1.3 billion a year for transportation. After the first two years, when debt reduction is a priority, it will include nearly $1.2 billion going to roads and an estimated $127 million for public transit. More than 60 percent of the road revenue will go to counties, cities and villages for their local road and bridge needs. The plan also protects revenue for schools and local governments.