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<DIV><SPAN class=316370723-15022005><FONT face=verdana>There are other factors
to consider when you look at road maintenance besides the wear on the surface by
"lighter" vehicles. How bad have the winters been? A frequent
snow removal will also wear the road surface, because the public wants bare
pavement/gravel so they can continue to drive fast (and cleanse the gene pool,
as Mark said a while back in another thread). I know there's been some
back and forth on how studded tires affect the roadway, I'd bet dollars to
donuts that's what causes the two channels I noticed going up 6th street hill
the other day, but I'm no engineer. Wet springs, floods, old culverts,
ditches that need cleaning -- all these are paid for by gas taxes (along with
other sources, but gas taxes are a big chunk).</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=316370723-15022005></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=316370723-15022005><FONT face=verdana>Now, don't get me wrong,
I'm as against any new taxes as the next guy, but some funding needs to come
from somewhere. There was a big hit on it back after 9/11 when people
werent' travelling as much, then again after gas prices started jumping.
The funds are trending back up, slightly, and I'm pretty sure the bulk of
Idahoans will continue to drive their monster trucks no matter what the gas
price, so this state won't get pinched too hard. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=316370723-15022005></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=316370723-15022005><FONT face=verdana>Then again, I'm not sure
I understand all I know about the subject.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=316370723-15022005></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=316370723-15022005><FONT
face=verdana>DC</FONT></SPAN></DIV></BODY></HTML>