Kempthorne Seeks More Highway Money

Sun., Sept. 14, 1997

From Staff And Wire Reports

If legislation introduced by Sen. Dirk Kempthorne becomes law, Idaho stands to get a lot more highway money from the federal government - with fewer strings attached.

The measure could increase state highway funding from the current $125 million per year to $178 million. Under the legislation, Idaho highway officials would be able to decide how to spend the money. Kempthorne said removing federal “strings” from the funding is a priority.

The legislation also calls for a new cooperative federal lands program and increased funding for rural transportation research.

Idaho Transportation Director Dwight Bower said if Idaho gets an extra $53 million per year in federal funds, it will help reduce a $4.1 billion backlog of badly needed improvements.

The House transportation bill introduced earlier this week fails to recognize the needs of rural Western states that have a large land mass but small populations, Bower said. , DataTimes

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Kempthorne Seeks More Highway Money

Jesse Tinsley

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