The hidden costs of doing nothing to maintain and improve Texas roadways is too great, according to Drew Darby, State Representative of Texas 72nd District and Texas is having a funding crisis.  Darby and several other elected officials and Texas Department of Transportation officials came to Brownwood Wednesday evening to explain the importance of maintaining roadways and the underfunding of such that Texas now faces.

Citizens are already paying extra through loss of time, safety and added expenses incurred with poorly maintained roads and delays in transporting goods and services according to Darby and the Texas Good Roads/Transportation Association.  He also explained the average Texas resident pays $948 annually in accident-related costs and each Texas driver pays an additional $343 annually for repair costs, increased fuel consumption and tire wear due to poorly maintained roads.

According to information provided during the Texas Good Roads program presented, Texas faces increased growth of 1000-1200 people each day but does has not increased the funding for maintenance and expansion of roadways to accommodate the additional traffic or wear and tear caused by this population explosion.  The Texas gas tax has not been changed since 1991 and only 15 cents per gallon of gas sold goes to fund road maintenance; however cost of repairs and maintenance of roads had increased, said Darby.

The Good Roads Program educates the public to urge their congressmen to invest in highways again.

Other special guests attending the program and speakers included State Representative Jim Keffer, Texas Good Roads Executive Director Lawrence Olsen, Executive Director Texas Department of Transportation Phil Wilson, Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes, TxDOT Brownwood District Director of Construction Eric Lykins, Elias Rmeili TxDOT Brownwood District Engineer, several Brownwood city councilmen, Brown County Commissioners, and former Brownwood Mayor Bert Massey.

For more information on the Texas roadways and funding crisis, please visit