Our View: Where is the outrage on roads?

The state Department of Transportation, and the people of South Dakota, have caught a break.

Because there is now sufficient federal aid to get more projects done this year, the state has accelerated several highway projects within the state’s borders. The projects are scattered throughout South Dakota, with a few targeted for here in the Mitchell region, including $25,000 for preliminary engineering to replace a structure over a creek near Scotland and some general roadwork on highways near Menno and Salem.

Why today’s celebratory tone?

Because the state Department of Transportation is drastically short on money and, in an unfortunate coincidence, South Dakota’s roads are in terrible condition. Any aid — federal or otherwise — that can be put toward fixing even a few miles of roadway in this state is a godsend.

Overall, the state DOT last week authorized $40 million of projects to be added to the 2010 workload. Congress had originally expected to make nationwide cuts to its highway program, to the tune of $58 million in South Dakota. Congress backed off that plan and states will now receive the same money they got in 2009.

South Dakotans must be an easygoing lot, or they have simply resigned themselves to poor roads. Whereas we consider the streets of Mitchell in relatively good condition — thanks to efforts made this spring to fix myriad potholes that dotted our paths — the rural stretches of roads in South Dakota are rough at best, dangerous at worst.

To quote an oft-used catchphrase, we wonder: Where is the outrage?

Alas, it’s not there. Probably because there appears so little that can be done about it in these tight economic times, when cost for the materials for fixing roads is consistently on the rise. Meanwhile, so few have the fortitude to insist upon an increase in taxes to help ease the problems.

We are surprised there is not more discussion of the state’s roads in the current governor’s race, with the exception of Dave Knudson. During a meeting last week with the editorial board of this newspaper, he said “farm-to-market roads are being pulverized” and that “it’s not realistic to pretend we’re going to do more with less” when it comes to repairing the problems that exist. He has been a booster of a higher gas tax — a 4-cent increase, which we feel is not excessive — to help alleviate road woes in South Dakota. He also believes a $10 increase in license plate fees is palatable, as do we.

This is not an endorsement of Knudson, but we are pleased he is spending time this campaign season discussing an issue that should be close to the hearts of all state residents. A few politicians have made similar proposals — including state Sen. Mike Vehle, R-Mitchell — and we agree with them. But for some reason, nobody seems to be talking much about the condition of South Dakota’s roads. Residents aren’t raising a fuss, and most candidates aren’t railing for change. Meanwhile, our roads are getting worse. We are concerned for motorists’ safety. Where is the outrage?

Tags: our view, opinion