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Ector County Funneling More Money Into Roads
Ector County Funneling More Money Into Roads 10/11/12
Robert Guaderrama
rguaderrama@cbs7.com
October 11, 2012
ECTOR COUNTY, TEXAS – It’s a problem we're seeing all around west Texas; more traffic putting wear and tear on our roads. The issue has county officials facing the need of repairing hundreds of miles of county roads.
"There's been a huge increase in oil field traffic, they're drilling all around us out here," said Patsy Hoelscher, Concerned Resident.
Booming oil activity is taking a toll on roads around west Texas. Patsy Hoelscher speaks for many concerned residents who want more upkeep of quickly deteriorating roads.
"I feel that our tax dollars can be put to better use and more efficiently," said Hoelscher.
Ector County Judge Susan Redford says that's exactly what county leaders are doing, funneling more money into roads.
"We actually increased our funding for road maintenance this year by $600,000 just to try to catch up a little," said Susan Redford, Ector County Judge. She continues, “is it enough to fix the problem? Absolutely not and we know that, it'll have to be a gradual process over the next few years."
Judge Redford agrees that increased oil field traffic is to blame, which is why Ector County is exploring asking oil companies to help pay some of the repair costs.
"Everytime they put in a well it brings hundreds of trucks on that road and our roads just weren't built for that," said Judge Redford.
Judge Redford says will 300 miles of county roads, maintenance comes with a large cost. Though county revenue is up, Judge Redford says it's not enough to cover the price tag.
"We're asking people to be patient with us, we know the problem exists and we're knocking in every door of possible funding trying to find some help," said Judge Redford.
Judge Redford tells us the county is also dealing with an employee shortage especially in the street and highway department, which is also slowing road repairs.