Today, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) released a report today that says one-third of the major highways in the United States (including freeways, major roads, interstates, and highways) are in poor or mediocre condition. Beyond that, roads in urban areas, which carry 66% of the nation's traffic, are in much worse shape.
So what does this mean for Michigan? It confirms what we already know. Driving on tough roads cost the average Michigan motorist approximately $370 a year in extra vehicle operating costs, slightly above the national average of $335.
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 full report is available at http://roughroads.transportation.org.
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