Construction Equipment: S. Dakota Infrastructure Can Benefit from Stimulus (SD)

From Construction Equipment: 

For the economic health and quality of life of the state, South Dakotans should heed the recent report on ground transportation offered by The Road Information Program.  The report, "Future Mobility in South Dakota," (see www.tripnet.org), shows that in the Mount Rushmore State about one third of the major roads and highways are deficient.  TRIP estimates that South Dakota motorists each pay $319 annually for wear on their cars resulting from substandard roads, and the state has averaged 168 traffic deaths annually in recent years. Costs like this are an economic hardship and safety concern in a state where the ability to drive is so critical to families and to business prosperity.  The state's bridges fared no better. Some 21 percent were structurally deficient in 2008 - fifth worst in the nation. Structurally deficient means significant deterioration of the bridge deck, supports or other major components. Such bridges are so deteriorated they are "often posted for lower weight or closed to traffic, restricting or redirecting large vehicles, including commercial trucks and emergency services vehicles." At some point, such bridges are unsafe at any speed.