Highways and bridges need improvements

The Idaho Transportation Board met Thursday in Rigby for their monthly meeting to discuss transportation issues.

The seven member board meets once a month and decides how to allocate and spend transportation revenue. The board is responsible for establishing state transportation policy, guide transportation department planning and oversee department operations.

Past studies show that the Idaho Transportation Department does not receive sufficient revenue to fully improve the state highway system, which includes 5,000 miles of state and federal roads.

Funding continues below the levels needed to improve and even fully preserve the state highway system.

Public Information Specialist for District 6 of the Idaho Transportation Department Bruce King said the budget projections from the year before will be similar to the new budget projections.

“This fiscal year’s budget is $700 million. We are appreciative to legislators for increasing the gas tax along with increasing vehicle registration, which is our only source of income that we have at the transportation department to improve and maintain the state highway system,” King said.

Last year, the legislature enacted legislation increasing state taxes on motor fuel, which provided additional revenue for state and local roads.

King said Legislators recognized the need for additional revenue for our roads and bridges.