A state transportation official says oil production trucks and vehicles are tearing up local roads without providing enough money to pay for repairs.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that a task force of county judges, state officials and industry representatives discussed the issue Monday. Texas Department of Transportation deputy executive director John Barton tells the newspaper that repairing damaged roads could cost $2 billion.
Barton says his estimate doesn't include damage to interstate and state highways.
While oil and natural gas drilling have created jobs and revenue, local counties say the road damage is outpacing transportation budgets.
DeWitt County, east of San Antonio, says it projects $7 million in property taxes for the current fiscal year -- and as much as $342 million in possible repair costs.
