| Updated: 4/10/2008 11:44 am |
Published: 1/30/2008 4:48 pm
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(TULSA, Okla.) January 30 - There's a new push to get more money for Oklahoma roads and bridges.
A citizen's group called "Trust", or "Transportation Revenues Used Strictly For Transportation", is calling on lawmakers to stop spending road taxes and fees on other needs.
David Joiner is an experienced long haul truck driver. He has seen all kind of roads in dozens of states. “You’re riding along smooth in Missouri… you know where the Oklahoma line is because seams, like the pavement ends, and you’re running on the old roads. It’s hard on the equipment, it’s hard on you.”
This is something “Trust” wants to end. Members say $450 million are diverted every year from state transportation taxes to fund other state projects.
Now they're lobbying lawmakers to keep that money on roads and bridges, especially ones that are in desperate need of repair.
The group is calling on citizens to write Governor Henry and other state legislators, just like David has done. “They don’t know there’s a problem unless we tell them.”
If you don't, David says the roads have no chance of getting any better and he worries about himself and the other drivers on the roads when he's behind the wheel of a large semi. “It’s like trying to ride a… bucking bronco that’s trying to run out from under you every ten minutes.”
According to the Federal Highway Administration, Oklahoma bridges lead the country in structurally deficient bridges.
If you're interested in knowing more about “Trust" and the group's efforts to fix roads and bridges click on links and reminders.
