FUNDING: Report says Calif. needs billions more to repair roads

Calling it a “crisis,” a coalition of local government groups in California said on March 6 the state’s crumbling roads need to be addressed immediately.

The California Statewide Needs Assessment Project report revealed that another $1.9 billion in annual funding is needed to bring the system of local roads up to date. For the next 10 years, the report called for an investment of $82 billion.

“It costs far less to repair and maintain roads than to replace them,” Chris McKenzie, executive director of the League of California Cities, said in a statement. “We can either spend money now and make the repairs, or expect to pay a lot more in the future.”

The report does not recommend a way to pay for the cost to bringing the roads up to par, but noted the $82 billion would require a 56-cent-per-gal increase in the state gas tax.