County road projects get less-than-expected funding

CALIFORNIA – If you drive a lot, keep those books on CD handy.

Fewer state funds than expected came through this year to help ease the gridlocked highways and roads in Santa Cruz County.

But if you’re a cyclist, you might just pop a wheelie in celebration. State dollars should arrive for every bike project requested.

…”In the shadow of global warming and peak oil, it makes sense that bike projects are getting the green light,” Posner said.

David Brewer, chief deputy director of the state Transportation Commission, said the awards had nothing to do with an environmental agenda. They had everything to do with tax revenue and state budget decisions.

“It wasn’t because of any rational and deliberate policy setting,” Brewer said.

Instead, Brewer said, a 1970s-era law left the commission with more money for transit and alternative transportation because of high tax revenues on gasoline. Roads, however, are still suffering after state legislators for three years borrowed gas tax money meant for transportation to instead balance the state budget.

Santa Cruz Sentinel