Kentucky lawmakers are taking up the state’s road plan later than usual in this legislative session. The bill, which includes projects totaling $1.7 billion in each year of the upcoming biennium, got approval from the House Budget Committee Tuesday. Union GOP Representative Sal Santoro told members the measure’s primary emphasis is on safety.
“In this biennium alone there is over $7.5 million set aside for guardrail installation. There is over $585 million set aside for bridges, not counting the Brent Spence Bridge companion bridge. So, we are taking care of a lot of our rural bridges,” said Santoro.
Santoro said the highway plan is coming forward later than usual because state leaders are still waiting for specific guidelines regarding the federal infrastructure money coming to Kentucky.
Kentucky legislators are working to determine the best way to maintain roadways and build new ones with expected reductions in gas tax monies. The General Assembly is currently considering a new fee for drivers of hybrid and electric cars. Senate Budget Committee Chair Chris McDaniel noted the aim is to achieve replacement funding for lost gas tax revenues.
McDaniel makes an analogy to the establishment of 9-1-1 services initially based on land-line fees. The northern Kentucky lawmaker said changes had to be made when cell service took over.
“We don’t want there to become an issue. We want this to be a smooth transition both for the society as a whole with their cars but also for the roads that they drive on and so we’re trying to stay ahead of the curve on it,” said McDaniel
McDaniel mentioned the Ford Motor Company which has said all its new cars will have battery engines by 2035.
