Most motorists can see that the grass along Georgia’s highways stays pretty shaggy and rush-hour congestion is getting worse. Rough pavement and potholes are visible enough, too.

So when state transportation officials and business groups say there is a need for road improvements, it isn’t hard to be convincing. And that’s even with the less obvious needs like the 16 percent of Interstates falling below state maintenance standards or the 11 percent of state-owned bridges due for major rehabilitation.

The Georgia Department of Transportation only has enough money to resurface 2 percent of roads per year.

“If you have to wait 50 years to see your road resurfaced, you’re not going to be too happy,” Transportation Commissioner Keith Golden said Tuesday to a committee of legislators and citizens chosen to study the issue of road funding.

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