LINKING AMERICA. THE COUNTY HIGHWAY SYSTEM

Among local governments, counties are key players in financing rural roads and highways. In some States, counties are responsible for virtually all nonmetropolitan mileage, and in other States, they coordinate other local governments providing highway activities. In a few States, counties have no role in local highway finance. This study describes county highway financing trends and presents information about Federal and State highway programs through which counties receive highway support. The information is organized by State with attention paid to unique or special financing mechanisms. The major sources of information are the annual Highway Statistics and Highway Taxes and User Fees: How They Are Collected and Distributed. Information was also obtained from a mail survey of State highway agencies and materials provided by State highway officials.