2017 Bridge Inventory: States get proactive on funding, expect to lower rate of poor bridges

States continue to take the lead on road and bridge funding, with eight states to date in 2017 either raising gas taxes or approving other funding. And once you factor in states that passed road funding during the past four years – 27 plus the District of Columbia, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures – then state trailblazing becomes even more clear.

In California, for example, Senate Bill 1 created the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program, which included a 12-cents-per-gallon increase in the state’s gas tax starting in November. The measure will fund “more than $52 billion in the next decade specifically for the maintenance and repair of the state highway system,” says Rita Gerlach, bridge maintenance information manager for Caltrans. California completed 12 state highway bridges and started another 36 last fiscal year, while another five bridges are being planned.

The Idaho legislature passed a $320 million-plus road bill authorizing $300 million in bonds that allow the state to borrow against its future federal highway allocations to fund big projects now. In addition, the bill diverted 1 percent of state sales tax revenues – expected to be $15 million in 2018 – to roadwork.

In August, Oregon’s governor signed a bill authorizing $5.3 billion in transportation funding to be spread over 10 years, while incrementally increasing the state’s gas tax by 10 cents per gallon over seven years. 

And in Tennessee, legislators increased the gas tax by 6 cents per gallon over the next three years. The initial 4-cent increase started in July. The legislation will provide transportation funds in a three-pronged approach: $250 million to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, $70 million to counties and $35 million to cities. “This dedicates funding to a specific list of priority projects on state and local roads,” says Ted Kniazewycz with the state’s DOT.

Other states increasing funding this year include Indiana, Montana, West Virginia and South Carolina.