More than one-quarter (27%) of the nation’s major urban roads—interstates, freeways and other arterial routes—have pavements that are in substandard condition and provide an unacceptably rough ride to motorists, costing the average urban driver $377 annually, a total of $80 billion nationwide. In some areas, driving on deteriorated roadways costs the average driver more than $800 each year.
These findings were released Oct. 3 by TRIP, a national transportation research group in Washington, D.C. The report, “Bumpy Roads Ahead: America’s Roughest Rides and Strategies to Make our Roads Smoother,” examines urban pavement conditions, transportation funding and economic development.
The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana region in California has the worst urban roads (64% poor condition), costing the motorist $832 a year. Three more areas in California—San Francisco-Oakland (60%), San Jose (56%) and San Diego (55%)—hold the next three spots in the poor pavement rankings. Tucson (53%) rounds out the top five.
Pavement conditions are likely to worsen under current funding by all levels of government. Through 2032, the U.S. faces a $156 billion shortfall in the amount needed to maintain roadways in their current condition, a $374 billion shortfall to make modest improvements in pavement conditions and a $670 billion shortfall to make significant improvements to roadway conditions.
To access the full report, click here.
