Gov. Ed Rendell's proposal to beef up the state's investment in highway-system repairs by $130 million during the 2006-07 fiscal year makes sense from the perspective of striving to improve the commonwealth's economy.

If the governor's plan still is intact when the General Assembly approves next fiscal year's budget, presumably in late June, the foundation will be in place for making some notable improvements to the highway infrastructure. Improved roadways are a bragging point in the state's efforts to attract new businesses and keep businesses that already are here.

Presumably, some of the additional money would be targeted to Butler County. Indeed, the county's legislators should ensure that this county gets its fair share.

The governor's proposal, which Rendell plans to explain as part of his 2006-07 budget address, would include:

Adding $100 million to the $50 million dedicated annually to the smoother-roads initiative. The initiative provides for an accelerated pavement-restoration program.

Adding $20 million to the $28 million bridge-preservation line item in the budget.

Adding $10 million to the $5 million Emergency Highway and Bridge Repair Program begun during the current fiscal year.

"As a result of this additional money, we will make progress on our roads and bridges in every region," Rendell said.

Despite the fact that Pennsylvania has invested $13.3 billion worth of state and federal money on highways and bridges over the past three years, a formidable highway-improvement challenge remains.

For the far-reaching benefits that good highways provide, it is to be hoped that the legislature looks kindly on the governor's plan.