King County says roads 'at risk of failure'

King County says 30 percent to 40 percent of its roads in unincorporated areas are "at risk of failure" over the next decade.

The roads division is at least $18 million short of the $120 million or more per year needed for maintenance, said a strategic plan published Wednesday. Caps on property-tax growth, the loss of a former car-tab fee and annexations by suburban cities are eroding the tax base, the plan says.

Such warnings are part of a broader context: Overall U.S. infrastructure rates a "D," according to the American Society of Civil Engineers; government leaders didn't find enough funds to replace King County's South Park bridge until after an embarrassing shutdown June 30; and several communities in Washington state are considering new car-tab fees to pay for transportation.

Already, the county warns, it will limit snow removal to the busiest arterials this winter, and eventually could impose vehicle weight limits or road closures.

More at http://your.kingcounty.gov/kcdot/roads/wcms/sprs/SPRSDraft.pdf