A civil engineering study has determined that Idaho roads need more attention as the state population grows.
Idaho’s branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the state’s bridges a “D″ grade and dams and water infrastructure a “C″ grade, while Idaho’s roads came in at a “C-minus.”
Finding the money to maintain Idaho’s existing infrastructure has long been a problem, with a transportation revenue shortfall of more than $406 million last year, according to the Idaho Transportation Department’s annual report.
Local road improvement projects are funded by various sources, including federal and state grants, and resident taxes.
ITD says over the past five years the number of licensed drivers in Idaho grew by 7 percent, vehicle registrations grew 11.5, and the tons of freight moved throughout the state grew by more than 10 percent.
Idaho’s population has increased 5.5 percent during the same time span. (AP)
