Potholes, weight-restricted bridges, and other rural road challenges often create costly repairs and delays for farmers hauling grain and agricultural equipment.
To address those issues, U.S. Representative Mike Bost has introduced the Agricultural and Rural Roads Improvement Program Act, or H.R. 4585. The measure would prioritize federal highway dollars to repair and enhance rural roads and bridges critical to agriculture.
Bost, a former truck driver who serves on both the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Agriculture Committees, unveiled the legislation July 22. He later discussed the bill during an August 25 Rural Roads Roundtable hosted by the Jasper County Farm Bureau. Members of the Illinois Farm Bureau, along with representatives from other industries, shared their experiences with rural road conditions.
Bost explained that while federal transportation dollars are distributed to the states, counties and townships often receive only a small portion. His bill directs funding toward the “first mile” and “last mile” connections between farms and local ag facilities.
“These routes are just as important as the highways they lead to,” Bost said, adding that the initiative would not create new funding but rather prioritize existing federal dollars.
Supporters, including the Illinois Farm Bureau, say the program would help farmers reduce transportation costs, save time, and improve safety when delivering their products.
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