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McClure Center releases survey on Idaho roads and bridges

The James A. and Louise McClure Center at the University of Idaho recently released "Voter Opinions on Roads and Bridges," a new issue in the center's Idaho at a Glance series of policy briefs.

This issue summarizes results of an Idaho highway funding telephone survey conducted from February to April 2014. Key findings of the study are,

Nearly three-fourths of likely voters surveyed consider Idaho's roads and bridges to be very important to the economy, yet only about one-fourth indicated that infrastructure is adequate for the state's needs 10 years from now.
The most frequent use of roads by those that use them at least three days a week is for personal business, followed by commuting, and then recreation purposes.
Nearly two-thirds of likely voters rated major highways as excellent or good, while only half rated bridges the same, and approximately one-third rated city streets and county roads as such.
Based on principles of safety and economic linkages, likely voters tended to find arguments supporting additional revenue for roads and bridges more convincing than negative arguments against additional funding.
To raise more funds for highways, roads, and bridges, likely voters indicated substantially more support for taxing auto parts and tires and increasing fees on commercial vehicles compared to more individually-based taxes.

Also available is a technical report from UI's Social Science Research Unit, "Likely Voter Opinions on Highway Funding in Idaho: Methodology and Results." SSRU's report includes complete study findings and a technical description of the survey methodology.

These companion reports are intended to inform public policy discussions about funding transportation infrastructure in Idaho.

Technical Report | Likely Voter Opinions on Highway Funding in Idaho: Methodology and Results
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Idaho at a Glance | Voter Opinions on Roads and Bridges
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