Our highway system in the United States is dangerously neglected. It may not be as obvious in the south, but in the north, weather and heavy use have left the roads potholed, patched and ridged to the extent that you know your alignment is shot. Twenty-five percent of bridges nationwide need repairs or replacement.
We are told the Highway Trust Fund is nearly broke although we've all been feeding it for years with our $.18 per gallon gas taxes. The situation is dire. And the price tag is beyond comprehension.
Congress has not taken up the issue of the Trust Fund in over 6 years. There is no plan in place. Yet there are disasters that will undoubtedly result from the avoidance of the issue. Congress is afraid to raise taxes and taxpayers are leery of larger or newly created agencies.
One thing is for certain, our national debt is about to increase substantially as we grapple with aging infrastructure, and kicking the can down the road is not only irresponsible, it is dangerous. This is just one example where honest revelation of the big picture, accountability for past mistakes, and a reasoned approach to begin the restoration of our highways is in order.
This is a good example of why building more of anything -- roads, bridges, parks, buildings, jails, etc. -- are all things that involve much, much more than the initial price tag. A plan for funding repairs and maintenance into the future should be required for all expansion of any kind.
Jennie Veary
