Gas tax increase opens door for more road improvements in Franklin County

Local officials are optimistic that a 10-cent increase in the state’s gas tax will help fund additional road repairs and other infrastructure improvements in Franklin County.

     The Iowa Legislature last week approved the first increase in the state’s gas tax since 1989. The hike will generate more than $200 million in additional revenue for city, county and state roads, which have begun to deteriorate in many parts of Iowa. The increase went into effect on Sunday after it passed with bipartisan support in the House and Senate last week.

    According to county engineer Jay Waddingham, the increase will generate around $822,000 in additional annual revenue for Franklin County and its eight cities.

     Read the full article in the March 5 edition of the Press.