Report: 1 in 4 urban roads damaged, costing motorists up to $1,000 per year

Bart Jansen | USA TODAY

WASHINGTON – Damaged big-city roads cost motorists as much as $1,000 a year in added maintenance, according to a report obtained by USA TODAY and are being used to urge Congress to approve a new highway bill to replace the one expiring July 31.

More than one-fourth (28%) of urban interstates, freeways and arterial routes with at least two lanes were paved in "poor" condition in 2013, according to the report from TRIP, a non-profit transportation research group funded by industry groups such as construction businesses and unions.

TRIP collated data from the Federal Highway Administration's road ratings. Poor roads have cracked or broken pavement and often show significant distress in the underlying foundation.

The poorly maintained roads cost the average motorist $516 per year in added maintenance, the report calculated.

Among places with at least 500,000 people, the cities with the greatest share of damaged roads are San Francisco (74%), Los Angeles and Long Beach (73%) and Detroit (56%), according to the report "Bumpy Roads Ahead: America's Roughest Rides and Strategies to Make Our Roads Smoother."

Among cities with 250,000 to 500,000 people, the worst roads are in Flint, Mich. (54%); Antioch, Calif. (52%); and Santa Rosa, Calif. (49%), according to the report.

The highest costs for maintenance, fuel and tire wear from bad roads totaled $1,044 per year for motorists in San Francisco and $1,031 for those in Los Angeles. The cost for Flint drivers was $839 per year.

"The nation's rough roads stress nerves and cost billions in unnecessary vehicle replacement, repair and fuel costs," said Jill Ingrassia, AAA's managing director of government relations and traffic safety advocacy. "Full investment in our nation's transportation system will reduce the financial burden on drivers and provide them with a smoother, safer and more efficient ride."

Groups including AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will hold a conference call at noon Thursday to discuss the report and urge congressional action.

"The deteriorating condition of our nation's urban roads threatens the health of the nation's economy, reducing the efficiency of a region's businesses and employers," said Janet Kavinoky, executive director for transportation at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The TRIP report comes as the Senate debates a six-year highway bill that is only funded for three years, leaving the next Congress to find additional funding. The would provide $50 billion beyond what is already collected from the 18.4 cent per gallon gas tax, the additional funding coming from spending cuts or changes in federal policy elsewhere.

In another strategy, the House approved an $8 billion bill to temporarily extend highway policy to Dec. 18 to give lawmakers more time to find permanent funding.

"With state and local governments struggling to fund needed road repairs, and with federal surface transportation funding set to expire this month, road conditions are projected to get even worse," said Will Wilkins, TRIP's executive director.

Bud Wright, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, said road maintenance depends on federal investment.

"We can do better than the uncertainty of short-term extensions," Wright said.