for rural communities, where populations are decreasing as more people move to urban centers, says Hamlin. Local governments maintain about 77 percent of roadway miles, while state highway agencies are responsible for about 19 percent of the miles and the federal government owns about 4 percent, according to ARTBA. Federal funding for bridges and roadways is also a concern. The federal government’s Highway Trust Fund is a major source of funding for highway and bridge investments made by state and local governments. Revenues from the trust fund are primarily derived from federal gasoline and diesel taxes. In recent years, the trust fund has needed signifi cant transfers from the general fund to remain solvent. The last of these transfers was authorized in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which funds federal surface transportation programs through fi scal year 2020. roads and bridges,” says John Engelen, vice president, CHS Government A airs. Right Spend “Safe roadways and a robust rural transportation network are essential to sustain farming and cooperative operations,” says Hessini. “That’s why CHS advocates for rural infrastructure investments by working with federal, state and local government representatives, along with state departments of transportation and other local transportation stakeholders.” “In addition to infl uencing policies, we help ensure transportation funds are used appropriately,” adds Englen. “Su cient funding for roadways is not only crucial for rural 38% of bridges need repair or replacement Source: American Road & Transportation Builders Association communities but the entire agricultural supply chain. We encourage owners to talk with elected o cials about the impact deteriorating roads and bridges have on farms and businesses and the importance of developing a sustainable source of funding for the system.” ■ “Congress has yet to decide whether to reauthorize or extend FAST and how to replenish the trust fund, but there has been ongoing bipartisan discussion about additional federal funding for all infrastructure, including States With the Most Structurally Defi cient Bridges IOWA PENNSYLVANIA OKLAHOMA ILLINOIS MISSOURI 4,675 3,770 2,540 2,273 2,116 Your CHS Connection 25 Source: American Road & Transportation Builders Association