Pages Menu
Categories Menu

Posted on Jun 1, 2020 in Audio, Editorial, Featured, Your Texas Agriculture Minute

YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

 

Texas rural transportation system needs attention

By Gary Joiner
Publisher

A new report by a national transportation research nonprofit called TRIP provides a roadmap of what’s needed in rural Texas and in rural America. There is a desperate need for road and bridge repairs and for modernization.

The actions will support economic growth and improve traffic safety, but there is a $211 billion backlog in funding for needed repairs and improvements to the rural transportation system.

Farmers and ranchers depend on rural roads, highways and bridges to move their products to market. So does the integrity of our nation’s food supply chain.

In Texas, the report finds the rate of traffic fatalities on Texas’ non-Interstate, rural roads is significantly higher than the fatality rate on all other roads in the state. Texas ranks eleventh highest in the nation. Rural roads are more likely to have narrow lanes, limited shoulders, sharp curves, exposed hazards, pavement drop-offs, steep slopes and limited clear zones along roadsides. Those all contribute to the rate of traffic fatalities.

The report also finds that our state’s rural roads and bridges have some deficiencies. Two percent of Texas’ rural roads are rated in poor condition, and 11 percent are in mediocre condition. Two percent of Texas’ rural bridges are rated in poor/structurally deficient condition, and 49 percent are rated in fair condition.

Rural Americans are more reliant on the quality of their transportation system than their urban counterparts. But the road to improvements could be a bit bumpy.

Addressing the nation’s rural transportation challenges will require a significant increase in investment. But state revenues are down. Decreases in vehicle travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic is estimated to reduce state transportation revenues by at least 30 percent—or about $50 billion—over the next 18 months

Supporters hope important federal funding is reauthorized this fall at levels to help address the state shortfall.

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.

You may read this week’s editorial above or listen to the audio version.

Media outlets: This content may be used without further permission.

Related Images: