Skip to main content

US$2bn repair bill for Texas roads damaged by drilling trucks

Texas has been left with a US$2billion bill to repair its drill damaged roads, according to a senior state transport official. John Barton, deputy executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation, said the estimated bill illustrated the toll gas and oil production had taken on the US state's roads. Judge for the DeWitt County in South Texas, Daryl Fowler, believes DeWitt alone will require as much as US$342million to repair or substitute roads stretching 392 miles.
July 6, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Texas has been left with a US$2billion bill to repair its drill damaged roads, according to a senior state transport official.

John Barton, deputy executive director of the 3499 Texas Department of Transportation, said the estimated bill illustrated the toll gas and oil production had taken on the US state's roads.

Judge for the DeWitt County in South Texas, Daryl Fowler, believes DeWitt alone will require as much as US$342million to repair or substitute roads stretching 392 miles. 6127 Pioneer Natural Resources and 6128 BHP Billiton provide financial contributions to the county whenever they drill a new well.

However, Fowler stressed how some firms make no contributions. He is pushing for legislative amendments to assist affected counties cover the costs related to exploiting shale gas. According to executive vice president of the Texas Oil and Gas Association, Deb Hastings, the key question is which party should cover those costs.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Turkey is investing in new motorway and bridge projects
    May 29, 2013
    Turkey is benefiting from new motorway and bridge projects constructed along the BOT model - Gülay Malkoç. Looking at Turkey’s economic development, road construction plays a crucial role. The investment in Turkey is becoming increasingly attractive for both local and foreign investors. There are significant huge road investments and projects being made in Turkey at present, compared with EU countries where the roads need mostly repair and maintenance. According to the approach of Turkey’s Ministry of Trans
  • Pothole problems cause traffic delays
    April 21, 2023
    Pothole problems are a major cause of traffic delays and vehicle damage in many developed nations
  • Interstate birthday celebration planned by ARTBA
    March 10, 2016
    The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) is hosting an event to highlights the US Interstate system. This will be held on June 29th at the National Press Club in US capital Washington, DC. The event marks the 60th anniversary of the law that kicked-off the funding and construction of the nation’s 47,000-mile Interstate Highway System. The event will also explore what the Interstate Highway System of the future should look like to ensure that transportation in the US remains fast, ef
  • Road markings and microplastics
    February 2, 2024
    Recent regulations from the European Commission have exempted road markings from microplastic bans and restrictions, at least for the moment, explains to the ERF.