Rural Roads and Bridges Will be a Priority in Bismarck

The Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute estimates $9 billion will be needed to sustain roads and bridges across North Dakota over the next 20 years. Oil revenues helped offset the cost of improving rural roads in the last session, but State Senator Mark Weber of Casselton does not expect those funds to be available in the next legislative session. During the Prairie Grains Conference, State Representative Michael Howe of West Fargo said the oil industry’s impact on the state is important. However, Howe said agriculture also contributes to the state coffers. “If you look at numbers in the legislature right now, it is fewer and fewer guys that have an agricultural background. Sharing our story is another duty for those of us agricultural guys in the legislature.”