Study: $7billion for ND road upkeep over 20 years

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BISMARCK — A new study says it will take up to $7 billion to keep up North Dakota's county and township roads during the next 20 years.

Denver Tolliver is director of the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute at North Dakota State University. He says $834 million is needed during the next two years alone.

The report says almost two-thirds of the money in the next two years should go to western North Dakota's oil-producing region. The roads have taken a pounding from truck traffic.

The institute did a similar study in 2010.

Tolliver says costs have since risen about 26 percent because of more expensive gravel, road paving materials and contracting expenses. The study also anticipates more oil wells being drilled.

The study was given Thursday to a state legislative committee.

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