Don’t take our roads for granted

Iowans depend on an efficient and reliable road system for maintaining our lifestyles as well as conducting commerce.

Previous generations sacrificed to build our roads in order to create the benefits to which we've all become accustomed. That system is in need of serious attention. Iowans continually see rural bridges embargoed, potholes in freeways and some rural blacktops literally falling apart. This kind of breakdown is not just a quality of life problem. It impacts the safety of all travelers, much less the added expense of vehicle damage and lost time for commercial traffic.

According to the Department of Transportation, one out of every five bridges in Iowa has structural issues. These are problems that affect every driver who lives in our state, visits our state or buys products and must cross our roads (www.iowafarmbureau.com/infrastructure).

The primary means of funding our roads is fuel taxes. The last time Iowa raised the fuel tax was in 1989. Experts say we need $215 million to fix our critical infrastructure needs. With construction costs going up, that number will only grow. For too long we have been taking our transportation infrastructure for granted, and the time has come to do explore all options to address the safety and reliability of our roads and bridges.

Nick Podhajsky

Traer