Changes steer new Idaho roads study

June 28, 2009 in City

Methods tightened to measure whether vehicle fees, taxes fair

Betsy Z. Russell
betsyr@spokesman.com, (866) 336-2854

Vehicles head east on Interstate 90 near Coeur d’Alene on Wednesday. Idaho is preparing to launch a new highway cost-allocation study. The Idaho Transportation Department director killed the last one, which showed heavy trucks underpay and cars overpay.
(Full-size photo)

BOISE – Idaho wants to know whether owners of heavy trucks and cars are paying their fair share for roads.

A previous study on the subject suggested heavy trucks underpay and owners of cars and pickups pay too much in transportation fees and taxes. But problems with data that suggested the study might not be valid prompted the state transportation director to scrap it in 2007.

This time, Idaho will follow the examples of other states, using new Federal Highway Administration methodology that recently worked well for Nevada and appointing an advisory committee from all sides to oversee the …

The full version of this story is available to Spokesman-Review print and online premium subscribers. If you are a print or online premium subscriber, you are entitled to full access to all Spokesman.com content. Premium content is recognizable by the logo.

If you already have a premium account, log in to view the entire story.
New to this site? Create a site profile and follow the steps to add premium access.
The Spokesman-Review and Spokesman.com are happy to assist you. Contact Customer Service by email or call (509) 459-5144.

No comments on this story so far. Add yours!

You must be logged in to post comments. Create an account or log in below.

June 28, 2009 in City