Senate to look at giving local control of roads

The first of two major transportation bills passed unanimously out of a Senate committee Tuesday, giving the state more tools to save money on roads and transit projects.

SB 25S01 would do five things, most notable being the creation of a task force to study whether state roads should be transferred to local control.

Transportation planners have long considered local control of roads to be more economical that state control, saying needed maintenance is done faster and at less cost.

In past discussions the bill was the subject of much controversy. Local officials were concerned that with the transfer of roads, no money would be transferred.

Sponsoring Sen. Carlene Walker, R-Cottonwood Heights, amended the controversial parts of the bill, said Lincoln Shurtz with the League of Cities and Towns.

"This bill just says we'll put the entire issue to study," he said.

Other aspects of the bill would authorize the Utah Department of Transportation to implement a toll on individual drivers wishing to drive in HOV lanes. The state would also be required to develop a scientific process for determining when a road is build or receives maintenance.