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120022 1 (1982-11-29)

handle is hein.gao/gaobacxuv0001 and id is 1 raw text is: NS . A~F:AL. ; :UNTIN~G OFFICE WASHINGTON, D.C. 20 8 HE SOURCES, COMMUNITY, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION NOV 2 9 1982 Mr. Ray A. Barnhart, Administrator l Federal Highway Administration Department of Transportation 120022 Dear Mr. Barnhart: Subject: Better Estimates and State Action Needed on Coal Haul Roads In our brief survey of the coal road system, we discovered several areas of concern. Past congressional efforts to estab- lish and finance a Federal program for improving the coal road system have not gathered enough support, but interest in such a program continues. Because FHWA will continue to be involved with this program, we believe that you should be aware that (1) projected coal road mileage and improvement estimates may be currently overstated and should be closely reexamined, (2) State efforts to prevent damage caused by overweight %oal trucks are inadequate, and (3) funds received by States from coal road users and the coal industry do not appear to be sufficient to fund coal road improvements. In addition to work at FHWA headquarters office, we visited FHWA division offices and State highway and other department offices in Colorado, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. We do not plan any additional audit work on the coal road issue at this time. BACKGROUND Prior to 1970, coal was a regional fuel and its transpor- tation was limited to regional needs. After the 1973-74 oil embargo, conversion to coal use from oil and construction of coal-burning facilities were emphasized. The Carter Administra- tion called for almost a doubling of annual coal production by 1985 over 1976 levels. Various DOT and State highway department studies since the early 1970s have shown that many of the coal roads are deteriorating rapidly and are in desperate need of repair or replacement. (342747) W4OL0