Road, Bridge Funding in Statehouse Spotlight

(Image Courtesy: State of Indiana)

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Members of the Indiana House Roads and Transportation Committee have begun debate on a long-term infrastructure spending bill. Representatives from the Indiana Department of Transportation teed up the public testimony portion of the process with a rundown of statewide road conditions and an estimate of needs. In order to "take care of what we have, finish what we’ve started and plan for the future," INDOT says an average of $1 billion per year over the next 20 years will be needed.

New INDOT Commissioner Joe McGuinness pleaded the case for full funding.

INDOT’s recommended funding breakdown includes:

• $390 million per year to get 95 percent of the current pavement it maintains up to a "fair or better" rating. Indiana roadways currently carry an 89 percent rating.
• $400 million per year to get 98 percent of the approximately 5,600 bridges up to a "fair or better" rating. Currently, 94 percent of state-maintained bridges reach the mark. Some 45 percent of the bridges for which INDOT is responsible are 15 years of age or older and could need to be replaced over the next five years.

House Bill 1002 includes provisions such a gas tax hike and incremental raises over time based on an annual index factor and calls for INDOT to apply for a federal waiver for interstates, which could open the door for tolling on roads that currently don’t have it.

In addition to INDOT, the committee welcomed testimony from leaders from the private sector, public interest groups and other stakeholders.

You can connect to a copy of the bill by clicking here.