In Case You Missed It: Texas' Roads and Highways Receive Sub-Par Ratings
Last month the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) - Texas Section released its 2008 Texas Infrastructure Report Card Update and Texas' infrastructure received a cumulative grade of "C-".
In the area of roads and highways, the state fared even worse, receiving a "D". One of the reasons ASCE sites for the poor grade is the inability of the state to adequately fund needed transportation projects because of the disproportionate redistribution of federal gas taxes, compounded by a 66% increase in the construction cost index over the past five years. (TSRT Note: Senator Carona's introduced SB 217/SJR 8 would increase or decrease the gasoline tax "by an amount that is equal to the producer price index percentage change" not to exceed five percent in a given year. So if this trend in increasing construction costs continues, a five percent per year gas tax increase may still not completely help Texas reach its needed transportation funding levels.)
An excerpt from the media release:
"The health, safety and welfare of our residents is tied directly to the condition and quality of our state's infrastructure" says Ricky J. Bourque, P.E., president of the Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. This dismal grade indicates the below average condition of many infrastructure systems in Texas. "Not only is our infrastructure currently being under funded based on current needs, but at present levels of investment we will continue to fall further and further behind unless we take action to close the funding gap. If Texas wants to grow economically and maintain our quality of life, investment into infrastructure needs to be a higher priority."
More information from American Society of Civil Engineers Web Site
Press Release
Report Card Update
Bridge Fact Sheet
Dam Fact Sheet
Roads & Highways Fact Sheet
Categories: gas tax, American Society of Civil Engineers, SB 217
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