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Budget Cuts Affecting OK Roads, Bridges

Brian Hardzinski / KGOU

Oklahomans in charge of fixing the state’s rural roads and bridges are raising concerns over a state budget cutting $72 million from funding.

Randy Robinson with the Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma says the money is designed to replace dilapidated and dangerous bridges across the state.

"That have been around in the 20s and 30s and 40s that are just no longer capable of holding up the loads and holding up the traffic."

Robinson says Oklahoma remains an agricultural state which is dependent on getting products to market.

"We drive a lot of the deficient bridges in Oklahoma. Eighty percent of the deficient bridges are on the county highway system, and so we're just trying to get them fixed and keep them safe for everyone."

He says the recent rains are adding insult to injury as the flooding helps aid in the deterioration of the state’s rural roads and bridges.

Meanwhile, Republican State Representative  Jason Murphey of Guthrie is urging Governor Fallin to veto the budget in light of the cutbacks to transportation funding.

Michael Cross is the host of KOSU's Morning Edition.
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