*Road construction alarm sounded: Advocates for laborers, gravel suppliers and road construction companies called on lawmakers to approve legislation to release the money that's earmarked for roadwork and other infrastructure projects, even if a full budget deal isn't reached.



Funds that pay for road repair projects are set aside for that purpose and aren't part of the income and sales tax revenues used to fund the rest of state government operations. But authorization to write checks out of that account typically comes as part of the annual budget legislation, and with the fate of the budget talks unknown, the road construction industry wanted to know its money wouldn't get caught up in the mess.



Without legislation approving release of the funds, as many as 25,000 road workers could be out of work at the peak of the construction season, the group warned Thursday at a Capitol news conference.



"Pulling construction at the height of construction season is just a ludicrous idea," said Mike Matejka, governmental affairs director at the Great Plains Laborers District Council. "This is very vital to not only keep folks working but keep this state moving ahead."