Idaho, Washington roads in serious need of repair

Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation show that 67 percent of Washington state roads and 43 percent of Idaho roads are in poor or mediocre condition.

According to the data, the conditions are costing Washington drivers $1.35 billion a year in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs. That's $272 per motorist. In Idaho, the conditions cost drivers $316 million a year, or $305 per motorist.

Nearly a quarter of all the bridges in both states - 20 percent in Idaho and 26 percent in Washington - are also in desperate need of updates and considered structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.

The data were released as the U.S. Department of Transportation is urging Congress to pass a long term-measure for transportation funding.

According to a press release for the department, the Highway Trust Fund is set to expire July 31, and without action from Congress, federal funding for transportation will be halted.

The department is pushing for Congress to pass the Grow America Act, a six-year bill that will increase investment in transportation by 45 percent.