Patch those roads

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Years of budget cuts have pushed the state's secondary roads to the point of a maintenance crisis. So it's good news, indeed, to learn that at least some help is on the way. Several state roads are in line for resurfacing, including parts of Old Buncombe Road, Fairview Church Road, Saluda Dam Road and Michelin Road near its research center. And through $1.25 million in state gas tax and local funds, several local roads will be repaired including parts of Allen Street, Andrews Street, Dunbar Street, Poplar Drive and Plaza Drive in Travelers Rest.

Several ideas are floating around in the Legislature to provide more money for road repair, including raising the gas tax (which is unpopular with many conservative legislators) and returning gas tax money to the state Department of Transportation that has been used for economic development. The state money being released for road repair is appreciated but inadequate. State lawmakers need to find more funds for pothole-riddled roads that are damaging cars and proving a safety hazard.