May 8, 2009 -- Keeping the nation's highways in good repair is a daily battle against age, weather and the wear and tear of unrelenting traffic. As a result, 33 percent of the nation's major highways are rated in poor or mediocre condition. Rough roads cost drivers hundreds of additional dollars annually in vehicle operating costs.
Rough Roads Ahead: Fix Them Now or Pay for It Later, a report released today by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and TRIP, a transportation research group, reports that one-third of the nation's major highways, including interstates, freeways and major roads, are in poor or mediocre condition. Roads in urban areas, which carry 66 percent of the traffic, are in much worse shape.
An analysis of data from the Federal Highway Administration shows that 37 percent of Michigan's major state, city and county roads are in poor or mediocre condition. Driving on rough roads costs the average Michigan motorist approximately $370 a year in extra vehicle operating costs, according to the report issued by AASHTO and TRIP, slightly above the national average of $335.
"Michigan is in a battle to keep our transportation system in good working order," said Kirk T. Steudle, director of the Michigan Department of Transportation, at a news conference held to release the report. "Rapidly increasing costs, diminishing revenues, and an inability to match federal funds in 2011 means rough roads will be an ever increasing part of driving in Michigan unless we commit to finding the resources to support the caliber of transportation system that Michigan's economy needs."
Drivers living in urban areas with populations over 250,000, such as Detroit, are paying $525 more annually because of accelerated vehicle deterioration, increased maintenance, additional fuel consumption, and tire wear caused by poor road conditions. In larger urban areas across the United States, such as Los Angeles, this cost can be upwards of $750 annually.
Nationally, 72 percent of the interstate highway system is in good condition, but age, weather conditions and burgeoning traffic are eroding ride quality. The report points out that traffic growth has far outpaced highway construction, particularly in major metropolitan areas. The number of miles driven in this country jumped more than 41 percent from 1990 to 2007 -- from 2.1 trillion miles in 1990 to 3 trillion in 2007. In some parts of the country, dramatic population growth has occurred without a corresponding increase in road capacity, placing enormous pressure on roads that, in many cases, were built 50 years ago.
"The federal stimulus program is providing a helpful down payment towards repairing some of the nation's rough roads," said Frank Moretti, TRIP's director of policy and research. "But it will take a significant long-term boost in investment by all levels of government to provide Americans with a smooth ride."
More than 42 percent of Michigan's state, county and local roads have deteriorated over the last five years. In 2004, 10.5 percent of Michigan's roads were in poor condition, but by 2008, that number tripled to 31.4 percent. Michigan's harsh winters and freeze-thaw cycles and a significant decrease in transportation funding revenues, along with rising costs of construction materials, have contributed to the declining condition of the roadways. Since the 1960's, Michigan has been in the bottom 10 states for state and local transportation funding. Michigan's gas tax revenue has decreased $100 million in the past five years, and at current funding levels, the condition of Michigan's transportation infrastructure will continue to decline. MDOT projects that 2010 is the last year Michigan will be able to fully match federal funding. If this occurs, the federal gas tax collected in Michigan will go to other states.
The Rough Roads Ahead report uses the latest government statistics to show pavement conditions in all 50 states and vehicle operating costs by state and urban areas. The report also finds that:
- 30 to 60 percent of the roads in the nation's largest urban areas are in poor condition.
- 36 percent of the roads in the Detroit urban area are in poor condition, compared to the Los Angeles area and surrounding communities, which have 64 percent of their roads in poor condition.
- 61 percent of rural roads are in good condition.
The full report is available on AASHTO's Web site at http://roughroads.transportation.org, along with examples from states working to improve their highway systems, charts and photographs. Rough Roads is part of Are We There Yet? We Can Be!, AASHTO's effort to build awareness and support for the nation's transportation system.
MDOT: Working to improve our state roads and bridges.
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