Issue Position: Repairing Roads and Bridges

Issue Position

Barrington's share of state highway block grant funds increases by 13%.

One of the most important bills passed by the 2013-14 New Hampshire General Court was HB 347 that will help improve our infrastructure, rebuild our bridges and roads, and finish important widening and paving projects. This bipartisan transportation funding bill is the most significant state-level investment in transportation infrastructure in 23 years.

This also means more help for towns like Barrington.

A percentage of New Hampshire's road toll money goes toward the highway block grant fund that is distributed to every community in New Hampshire. The money is used exclusively for road paving and bridge repair and makes up 20% of Barrington's budgeted road repair and paving expense. With the passage of HB 347 Barrington's share of block grant money grows to $209,000 a year, a $24,000 annual increase, which means less reliance on local property taxes for road maintenance.

The passage of HB 347 means New Hampshire's roads and bridges will get the attention business and industry leaders say they need. HB 347 not only benefits communities like Barrington with a 13% increase in our block grant fund, but will also help build a solid, modern transportation system that is the foundation for long-term economic growth.

This legislation received widespread support from the business community including the NH Business and Industry Association (BIA), various local chambers of commerce and the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association. Transportation of goods & services for businesses as well as NH's tourist industry depend on a sound state-wide infrastructure.

Road toll revenue goes toward highway block grant funding to municipalities, increasing bridge aid to towns and cities, the resurfacing and reconstruction of roads, and completing the I-93 expansion, a critical artery that handles the huge influx of tourists and commerce that affects the entire New Hampshire economy.

Even with the modest 4.2 cent increase to the road toll, NH still has the least expensive fuel charge in New England.

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