DENVER—Nine of the state’s 125 worst bridges are ready to be fixed with money from the economic stimulus being negotiated in Washington.
The 125 bridges are rated as “poor” by the state Transportation Department because they’re in need of significant maintenance or repairs. Chief engineer Pam Hutton told state lawmakers Wednesday that more of them could be repaired in the second round of projects.
Right now, Colorado is expected to get about $400 million for highway projects and another $100 million for transit. The numbers are not final because the House and Senate are working on their own versions of a stimulus package.
The state would have to spend about half of whatever it gets within 180 days. Hutton said the rest could be spent later this year and more bridge projects could be ready to go by then.
Hutton said the bridges that received a “poor” rating are inspected frequently and aren’t considered unsafe. However, she said the risk of safety problems rises as bridges age.
Ninety-four percent of the state’s bridges are considered to be in fair to good condition.
State lawmakers are also considering a permanent increase in transportation funding by raising fees on vehicle registration, rental cars and overweight trucks. The proposal (Senate Bill 108), set to get a hearing before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, would raise about $250 million a year.
Under the latest version, owners of passenger cars and many sport utility vehicles would have to pay an extra $32 when they register their vehicles this year. The fee would rise to $41 the following year and then increase with inflation every year after that.
