June 29 was exactly 120 days since the federal government released
highway funds to the states as part of the economic stimulus bill
(American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). Smart Growth America marked
the occasion by releasing a review on how wisely states are spending
the transportation money. ... I've been concerned that Iowa would spend
too much money this year on new road construction, which adds to
future maintenance costs, instead of fixing the roads and bridges that
need repair. Neither Iowa Department of Transportation director Nancy
Richardson nor the state legislature have shown much interest in
balanced transportation funding in the past. The fiscal year 2010-2014
Transportation Improvement Program approved earlier this month by the
Iowa Transportation Commission includes more money for road widening
than I would prefer.

Labels: transportation