Democrats and Republicans say the state should play a role in addressing deteriorating roads, bridges and sewer and water infrastructure throughout Montana. Link — http://www.dailyinterlake.com/article/20161225/ARTICLE/161229888
The Montana Department of Transportation has announced that at least $127 million in highway construction projects will be delayed until May 2017 due to lack of funds. The Governor’s budget not only fails to shore up the budget, but cuts it $200 million more from the FY18 budget. Link — http://www.bigskybusiness.com/index.php/government/montana/4630-lack-of-funds-delays-highway-construction-projects
Poll: By a 5:1 margin, Montana voters support legislation that would cap the Coal Tax Trust Fund at a balance of $1 billion and have future funds invested in critical infrastructure projects around the state (69% support, 14% oppose). Link — http://www.bigskybusiness.com/index.php/business/montana-business/4640-what-are-montanans-thinking
Billings Gazette opinion: Montana running out of gas tax. This is a great return on Montanans’ money. Let’s consider paying a dime more for gas because we need better roads, adequate safety patrols and good jobs for Montanans.
“The coalition is not interested in going in and fighting over an insufficient pie.”
A clean and reliable water source for drinking, cooking, growing food, and basic hygiene needs provides the foundation for healthy communities and vibrant economies. According to the Montana chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Montana has over 5,300 miles of water distribution and transmission piping – a longer stretch than driving from Billings […]
The Montana Department of Transportation has an annual budget of over $710 million. Over $390 million of that money comes from the Federal government by way of grants through the Federal Highway Administration. The monies from the Feds are doled out on a project-by-project basis with the State of Montana responsible for approximately 13 percent […]
The Montana Department of Transportation recently announced that routine bridge inspection had discovered “separation between the concrete deck and the … concrete beams at the end spans of both bridges” at the intersection of I-15 and I-90 at the East Butte interchange.
Last week, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) notified the public of a significant safety concern with bridge decks in the I-15/I-90 interchange in Butte. (See attached video for illustration of the structural decay). These structures were built in 1963, and are nearing the end of their expected 50-year lifespan. At 53 years old, these […]
Regardless of the manner in which one supports an investment of public monies into infrastructure projects and whether it is good economic policy, the economic effect of not investing in infrastructure is indisputable. Information released by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) this week shows that Montana joins just 13 other states and the District of […]