YANKTON, S.D. (KTIV) -
Did you know, busted roads cost U.S. drivers an estimated $67 billion in repair and operating costs each year. Instead of fixing your car, a national initiative has a better idea... fix the roads.
Road repair advocacy groups say 45% of federal highways and major roads were in poor to fair condition in '08.
"The safety and dependability of our roads, we just take it for granted," said Marketing Manager of KPI-JCI & Astec Mobile Screens Lisa Carson.
About a year ago, those stats steered Carson into action. She, with her company, helped create the grass-roots initiative The Road Connection. It's goal show the nation the need for road and other infrastructure improvements.
"I don't care if you are a retired person, if you are a 16 year old new driver. Road safety is important to everyone on the roads, whether you are driving or a passenger," said Carson.
At the heart of The Road Connection, a road trip. For the last year, advocates traveled the nation telling people why more funding for roads means more safety, and more jobs.
The group made more than 30 stops and drove almost 33,000 miles.
In July, it seemed all their work, worked. President Obama signed a two-year $105 billion highway bill. It'll help fix federal and state roads, bridges and more. A good start says The Road Connection, but not enough.
"This legislation, not only falls short in duration, it falls well below the bar of acceptable funding for U.S. surface infrastructure," said Association of Equipment Distributors' Director of Programs Kim Phelan.
So, even with a two-year bill The Road Connection says there's still work to do.
Carson says they'll make their next move after the November election.
"We hope that the momentum of having a two-year will just carry on. We hope that they won't drop the ball, or that we don't just keep extending it. That we actually come up with a way to fully fund a long term viability," said Carson.
Road repair advocacy groups says 45% of federal highways and major roads are in poor to fair condition.
