Urban-rural road debate is back

The State Highway Commission is backing off suggestions it should dump almost 2/3 of state road money into rural areas. A new state study shows most of the state’s crumbling roads are in rural areas, despite the fact 50% of state funds go to the cities. Commissioner Barry Orsheln was struggling to convince the commission to follow the study strictly and make large cuts in the percentage of urban road funding. Others suggested a 55-45 split of money. Millions of dollars in road funding are up for grabs until the commission decides, which it should do early next month.