Hungry Horse news., 1954-11-26
Highway Problem

highways are likely to be the No. topic at the
coming legislative session in Helena Here's where
Montana stands to lose the most.
Fortunately an eight page pamphlet has beer
prepared with information the problem by the
Governors Interim Highway committee George
Schotte, Butte is chairman with Dr. Harry J. Nc
Gregor, Great Falls, secretary-treasurer Member
from this area is Keith Denton, Lakeside. The COM
mittee has been studying the highway problem for
six years Major issue is finance, and the following
information is from the committees report
Montana builds highways with 81 per cent fed
eral assistance, matched with 43 per cent state
ey. Immediate problem is that Montana's share of
the new federal highway program is ,7S4
annually for two years This means an annual in
crease of $4363,953 to Montana if the state can in
crease its share by $2,750000.
Montana of recent years has been matching
federal grants However there is a backlog in the
federal treasury resulting from Montana'S failure
to match funds in the past With 81 5000 Montana
claim additional SIS, 100000 of federal funds
that have been accumulatng.
Conclusion is that Montana needs to increase
revenues for highways from So 500 900 to $4000000
a year in order to take full advantage of federal
grants.
Montanas particular problem is pointed out by
the committee 1t is the nations third largest state
l4l,l31 square miles) and ranks 42nd in popula-
ton (618,000 in 1882 In land area it is exceeded
only by Texas (6th in population) and California
(2nd in population). Because of its sparse popula
tion and long distances it is exceedingly difficult
to finance the states highway network.
The report continues: Coupled with this is the
geographic location of Montana in the northern tier
of states where maintenance activity is continuous.
Road surface breakups are common, and winter
maintenance OF snow plowing and sanding is costly.
Last year the Montana Highway commission spent
$6,370,960 in highway maintenance alone.
Montana has primary system of 5,796 miles,
of which 244 miles have never been constructed or
improved; 142 miles are graded only and 3Z5 miles
gravel surfaced. Conclusion is that IL per cent
of Montanas primary system is gravel surfaced or
worse; another rs per cent is bituminous surface
treated, which is subject to constant breakup and
can be regarded temporary. At least 18 per cent
of the primary system is more than so per cent
deficient when compared to recommended stand
ards
OF the states 3,434 miles of secondary roads,
AZ per cent unimproved. County commissioners
determine the priorities for construction of Mon
tanas secondary roads.
Estimated total cost of bringing these Montana
highways and roads up to standard is 1881 1550,000
Another story is the increase in vehicles and
travel Fuel consumed has increased from 8O,959OOO
gallons in 1885 to 176,775000 gallons in 1850 and
228, ,023 900 gallons in 1858.
The population increase is from $780, ,6o6 in 1885
to 591 ,O24 in 1850 and $4,000 in 1853 Meanwhile
tourist flow was 100000 in 1885, 2,4O3353 in 1850
and 1857, ,324 in 1883
Number of automobiles increased from 115,170
in 1885 to 2O3,470 in 1858 and number of trucks
from ,542 in 1885 to 97,438 in 1858.
Present source of the states 43 per cent share
OF highway funds is follows: motor fuel taxes in
1858 raised ,585 or 82.77 per cent of the
SIOSS WS4Sub pA,Of VI A~'o"
per cent; U. S. oil royalties, $502,308 or 3.21 per
cent and other sources, $186,318.
An interesting point is the operating cost OF
motor vehicles 1t is 83 cents per mile over earth
roads; 6.25 cents per mile gravel, and 416 cents
per mile on surfaced. From 1885 to 1858, highway
accidents in Montana caused economic loss OF
100000 along with 3,057 lives and 106,995 in
juries National Safety officials say that from to
per cent of all highway accidents involve high
way deficiency.
The Governors Interim Highway committee is
proposing to the coming session of the legislature
that gasoline taxes be increased from to cents
gallon and diesel fuel from to 9 cents raising
81 100000 from the increased gas tax and $425OOO
from diesel (heavy trucks) sources.
A revision in the gross vehicle weight tax would
increase revenues $850,00 and bonding system to
reduce tax evasion by diesel fuel users would in
crease revenues another estimated $5O0,OOO Total
increase in estimated revenue would be $3,775,0O0.
Our thought is that Montana must increase
taxes it is going to have better highways In this
instance for every 43 cents raise, the federal
government matches with 81 cents.
The attempts to reduce tax evasion are interest
ing. We also hope the committee took into account
that logging trucks drive number of miles over
roads built and maintained by loggers This is IN
contrast to the big freight and transport trucks.
An increase of one cent gallon in gasoline
axes would cost motorists who drive 10000 miles
, wear about go cents a month. We also hope the
Montana legislature isn't too tinid to attempt re-
luction of motor fuel purchased for farm use that
inds its way to highways.
We should keep in mind that only to 10 cents
q