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11/19/2008






Highway Users Chairman to present statewide survey showing support for increased transportation funding
BOISE - Idahoans recognize the value of safe roads and bridges to the economy and support raising fees to improve them, a statewide survey shows.
 
Idaho Highway Users Chairman Scott Ellsworth will present the survey findings to the Idaho Transportation Board on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 1:15 p.m. at the transportation department headquarters building, 3311 W. State St. in Boise.

The highway users surveyed 600 Idahoans in September. Idaho Highway Users is a statewide group formed in the 1930s to promote good highways and bridges. The group conducted a similar survey in 1999.

The 2008 survey shows:
  •     95 percent of Idahoans believe roads and bridges are either vital or important to the economy;
  •     93 percent believe roads and bridges are vital or important to Idaho's lifestyle;
  •     70 percent of Idahoans said adequately funding transportation is one of the state's top priorities; and
  •     62 percent would support raising fees to fund transportation if they were confident the money would be used efficiently.
"The survey confirms what we were hearing from the public at the seven transportation funding conferences held across the state this summer," said Ellsworth. "Drivers are concerned about Idaho's crumbling roads and deteriorating bridges and believe now is the time to begin fixing them."
 
Idahoans gave state roads and bridges mediocre grades. Each element of Idaho's transportation infrastructure was given a C+ grade.  

"Idahoan's recognize the need to invest in transportation and the state's future," Ellsworth said. "Even in these challenging times, Idahoans are willing to step up and do the right thing."

The survey has a four-percentage point margin of error.

Ellsworth noted the results mirrored findings from a 1999 Idaho Highway Users survey and a 2006 survey conducted by the Federal Highway Administration.

Editor's note: the study can be accessed by going to itd.idaho.gov/funding

 
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