MCEO PLANS FOR THE 2014 YEAR

NACO, the National Association of Counties, met in Washington D.C. this week to discuss the shortfalls in local as well as national transportation improvements. The Muskingum County Engineer was among those on the transportation board.

A highlight of discussion was Congressional Bill MAP21, or Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century. With it is set to expire in September this year, Muskingum county will lose $30 million in Federal funding for roads and bridges if the bill is not renewed.

"The other thing that we're concerned about is that $30 million that we received, those were yesterdays dollars, so tomorrow's dollars are going to be more expensive to spend" said Doug Davis, the Muskingum County Engineer. "The MAP21 not only needs to be renewed, but it needs to be renewed with an inflation value."

Out of the 415 bridges in Muskingum County, 152 of them DO NOT meet the regulations for Federal funding. Although MECO works diligently to utilize their materials to their maximum potential, the remaining funds must be generated locally.

"In May we are going to have a five dollar license plate fee on the ballot and we would like for the public of course to help us do that because that's going to let money go directly towards bridges," said Davis.

The average U.S. household spends $46.33 on road and transit improvements and over $150 a month on phone services.

Approximately $300,000 annually would be generated for local roads and bridges through the $5 proposed license fee . For other information regarding the current state of Muskingum county roads and bridges as well as construction projects planned for this summer you can visit the MCEO website at www.mceo.org.

To voice your opinion the the roads and bridges of Muskingum county, you can contact the MCEO at mceo@rrohio.com or (740)- 454-0155.