Lousiana's Transportation Trust Fund Has Run Dry

"We have slowly but surely not funded it enough each year so we get further and further behind," Steve Terrill with Driving Louisiana Foward said.

Terrill is a part of Driving Louisiana Foward..a statewide campaign organized by businesses and contractors dedicated to improving the states infrastructure.

"Both educating legislators and the general public on how important a piece of the puzzle of economic development roadwork is," he continued.

Not only does the trust fund pay for new roads, but it pays for the maintenance and upkeep of old ones. The Transportation Trust Fund is primarily funded by a 16 cent gas tax. When the leglature passed it in 1984, it did not include a provision to adjust it for inflation. Today, that percent is simply not keeping up with construction needs.

Area drivers say help cant come soon enough.

"Our roads are terrible. You can tell when you change state lines in Louisiana," driver Monty Hugh said.

"I think the roads are horrible. Need alot of repairs," driver Andrea Abrams said.

Terrill says the group will make several suggestions to the state, including raising the gas tax. He says no matter what the solution, something should be done soon.

I hope everyone understand what a good investment it is to put your money in the roads," he said.

To find out more about Driving Lousiana Foward, visit its website www.drivinglouisianafoward.org