Federal transportation fund set to expire by end of July

The Highway Trust Fund is set to expire at the end of the month which will stop all federal funding for transportation.

Driving on damaged roads is costing Idahoans $316 million a year in extra car repairs, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers.

“The front end of a car, it can knock your alignment out, having a bad alignment can cause stress on your front end steering components,” said Crystal Simmons from Jon’s Auto Repair.

Depending on the make and model of a car- some of those repairs can set drivers back anywhere from $500 to $1,500.

In that same report from the American Society of Civil Engineers, almost half of Idaho’s roads are in poor or mediocre condition.

The Idaho Transportation Department said it’s critical to have federal funding because it impacts everyone.

“From the roads and bridges we travel on to get to work or play, to the goods and services that rely on our infrastructure for continued commerce and economic opportunity ,” said Steve Grant, ITD.

He said the Highway Trust Fund will begin to run low at the end of July or early August.

He says the U.S. Senate Leadership has said extension programs will be looked at next week.