Show state reco records ads huge we aut out outlay ay for highways expenditures for state hi highways gh in utah for the eight year period 1040 to 1948 1048 represent a per capita outlay of 72 or approximately prod xi 0 9 per inhabitant of the state ign ier per year it is reported in the current fe search research report released by utah foundation I 1 the tho or private jv 2 te non oon profit tax re search agency approximately w was a a 5 spent nt for state highway construction st tru cr on and operation costs during the period equivalent to per registered motor vehicle or 33 ber car per year during the eight year span utah spent less for state highway purposes than did any of the other western states except wyoming and nevada gasoline consumption in utah during the same bame period was exceeded by four of the 11 western states california washington oregon and colorado utah foundation comparisons arte arc based upon data released by the U S bureau of census relating to state finances the highway costs shown do not include expenditures for policing highways nor grants in ald aid to cities or counties for local road purposes the foundation report cites estimates by the utah state road commission that an expenditure of for new construction would be required to bring utah highways on the federal aid system up to prescribed standards for traffic if the program were scheduled over a five tive year period nearly annually would be needed under highway department estimates A 10 year program would re require pir tir e per year or if the construction is extended over a 15 year period briod would be tre the ann annual ual bill if highway department estimates were carried out no allowance is included for maintenance and other current operating costs in these figures the road commission contends that these heavy outlays would be offset by pos sible reductions in accidents time savings for motorists be tween travel points and lower operating and maintenance costs of cars driven on improved high ways the utah foundation report emphasizes the need for the most competent management of high way plans and operations in view of the large sums of public funds involved citing the recommendation of the utah highway users for revamping the utah road commission organization structure the report points out that present policy limits the amount which can be paid to a chief highway engineer in utah to per year the same as the salary now nog now paid to three I 1 suu sun furl fuu time highway commission ers in view of the large expenditure involved it would be sound economy to secure the best possible technical direction of the highway program which would probably require ital increases in pay scales for qualified engineers the report states pennies paid out for properly trained and efficient right of way y personnel mean dollars in ire the taxpayers pocket the report emphasizes |