Video: National Survey Studies MS. Roads

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JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – A national research group says 28 percent of Mississippi roads are in poor or mediocre condition and 22 percent of bridges in the state need to be repaired, improved or replaced.

The information was released Monday by The Road Information Program, or TRIP. The Washington-based nonprofit group has a board made up largely of people in the road building business.

Some state officials say Mississippi’s tax of 18 cents a gallon on gasoline and diesel fuel is not providing enough money to keep up with maintenance and construction.

The fuel tax was last increased in 1987, when lawmakers enacted a massive program to expand the system of four-lane highways. Since then, road building costs have increased and many drivers are using less fuel because vehicles are more efficient.