Republicans See Road Improvements Ahead

Oklahoma drivers will see continued improvements on both county and state roads as the result of new funding provided by the Oklahoma Legislature this year, Republicans say.

County roads, in particular, will enjoy a significant increase in funding thanks to reforms pushed by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. County road projects will receive a growing share of state motor vehicle taxes. Beginning this July, counties will receive 5 percent of motor vehicle taxes, or about $28 million in new funding.

"The boost in county road funding is further evidence of our commitment to transportation needs in Oklahoma," said Rep. Chris Benge, a Tulsa Republican who has chaired the House Appropriations and Budget Committee for three years. "In the past two years, we've done a lot to improve state roads; now we're addressing county roads as well."

"Most Oklahoma drivers don't spend their entire commute on a state highway, so it's important that we ensure both county and state roads are properly maintained," said Rep. Mike Thompson, Oklahoma City Republican who chairs the House Transportation Subcommittee.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has already developed a plan to use the new funding to repair more than 100 of the most dilapidated county bridges and 200 miles of county road in the next five years.

"The Transportation Commission has done a great job identifying the highest-need county projects and targeting them for swift repair," Benge said. "Oklahoma drivers are going to see slow but steady improvements on all Oklahoma roads in the near future."

Next year, counties will receive 10 percent of motor vehicle taxes and then 15 percent starting in the summer of 2009. Once fully implemented, county road projects will receive about $85 million per year in new revenue under the funding reform.

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