Dalrymple calls for $2.5 billion in roadwork

BISMARCK — Gov. Jack Dalrymple unveiled a proposal Monday to spend $2.5 billion on state roads and highways during the 2013-15 biennium, calling it an “unprecedented investment.”

The plan calls for additional money to assist the oil- and gas-producing counties in western North Dakota but also addresses needs in the central and eastern portions of the state, Dalrymple said.

The proposal means spending an additional $1 billion on roads and infrastructure next biennium compared to the current biennium, he said. The money will come from a mix of state and federal funds, as well as tax revenue from the oil and gas industry.

“I think the investment represents a tremendous conviction that we need to help our communities. We need to help our economic development, and we need to work for the better quality of life in North Dakota that everybody expects,” Dalrymple said. “In order to do that, we need to invest in our infrastructure more than we ever have before in the coming two years.”

Senate Minority Leader Ryan Taylor of Towner, who is challenging Dalrymple in the governor’s race, said this kind of investment was needed a year ago.

“We need action not just in an election year but every year, and my dedication to leading on these issues will be there year in and year out,” Taylor said in a statement. “I'm happy to be in this race to force some action on the governor’s office and get North Dakotans the funds they need to have safe, reliable roadways across the state.”

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