Poor U.S. roads hit drivers in wallet

[Bozita]

Source: Detroit Free Press

Poor U.S. roads hit drivers in wallet
BY MATT HELMS • FREE PRESS DRIVING COLUMNIST • MAY 8, 2009


The nation’s rough roads are leading to higher driving costs for American motorists -- $400, on average, and $750 for drivers in urban areas, according to a new report released this morning.

A third of major U.S. interstates and major highways are in poor or mediocre condition, but it’s a particular problem in urban areas with populations of 250,000 or more, said the report by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the road advocacy group TRIP. It was released this morning at a news conference in Bloomfield Township.

The groups are using the study as ammunition to get federal lawmakers to significantly increase spending in the next six-year federal highway bill, which Congress will begin debating this summer.

“The American people are paying for rough roads multiple times,” said Michigan Department of Transportation Director Kirk Steudle. “Rough roads lead to diminished safety, higher vehicle operating costs, and more expensive road repairs.”

Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20090508/COL12/90508033/Poor+U.S.+roads+hit+drivers+in+wallet

[TheCoxwain]

1. Welcome to New jersey .. if you want a Bone Rattling ride

I am seriously ashamed of the conditions of some of the roads we have here in NJ.


My wheel have gone out of balance multiple times ... ( thanks to running over potholes that seem to crop up all the time)


My suspicion of Mafia backed construction companies who do a shoddy job on purpose doesnt help either...

[Robb]

2. It's funny, that's the same emotion I had: shame.

I wonder why I felt "ashamed" of my state's roads? Interesting.

Anyhow, on the other: roads are designed in this country to fail (or rather, longer-lasting materials are not used) because, unlike much of Europe, different companies get the contracts to build and maintain. In the Netherlands, for example, the same company that builds a particular stretch of roadway is also awarded the 10-year contract to maintain it. You better believe they spend more on the asphalt blends.

[XemaSab]

5. Your wheels have gone out of balance?

I broke my axle! x(

[TheCoxwain]

21. Shouldnt the state be liable for damages.. if they post a speed limit of 55 mph ...

with potholes in the road that ends up damaging the car.

[DS1]

7. There's no mistaking hitting the NY State border on the backrounds

Suddenly everything is smooth again

[hedgehog]

18. It's those high taxes at work! Pay me now or pay me later, it seems!

[mwooldri]

3. This would probably protect SUV sales then I guess...

My dad was commenting on the types of vehicles in his part of England. There was a survey released stating that SW Surrey has some of the worst roads in the UK, but also has the highest number of SUVs around. Even with high gas tax and other deterrents to SUV ownership (higher insurance, higher vehicle tax) these types of vehicle flourish.

Now SUV and light truck ownership is quite high in the USA. If the roads get worse, old SUVs will be replaced with new ones, even if gas goes to $OUCH! a gallon. They'll need the vehicle just to get around.

Mark.

[imdjh]

4. The first thing I though when I saw the TATA

Was that some of the roads in the northern US have potholes big enough to upend such a little car.

[smitra]

8. Potholes on roads in India are often far worse...

Especially following the monsoon season. It will be interesting to see how these look after somebody has had it for a year or so.

[AnneD]

11. That is why the old Ambassadors are the car of choice in India.....

I hadn't such a sturdy vehicle since the 50's. I am not familiar with cut and paste otherwise I have a picture.

[imdjh]

22. We used to have an Ambassador. Great car.

You could easily seat four in the back seat, and the front seats were amongst the first to recline. They called them "Nash seats".

[mimitabby]

6. it's tough on us bicycle commuters too!!

[crankmob]

13. the freeways in west LA are fairly smooth..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZSe8Q8-Iw&feature=related

[defendandprotect]

9. Here in Central NJ we're getting road repairs, including GSP in my area .. .

happily -- they were really bad after the winter --

Meanwhile, gas was just over $2 bucks today!!

[guitar man]

10. It's bad enough in a car

but it's pure hell on us motorcycle riders x(

[AnneD]

12. Say....

how much does the repair shop charge to get that seat out of your butt. Oh wait, that would be the ER and most of us don't have insurance. Yikes!!!!!!!

[guitar man]

15. exactly,lol

I almost bit the pavement on a toll road last year. The hole went all the way across both lanes of the Turner Turnpike which they were charging me 3.50 to ride 90 miles on. I called up the Turnpike Authority and ripped their ass over it. I told them there was going to be one or more bikers down if they didn't get it fixed pronto. The guy didn't act too interested until I added "and that could include OHP motor officers. They got out there and fixed it then.

[AnneD]

16. Good for you.....

Some folks need to have a picture drawn for them before they connect the dots...:eyes:

[Tracer]

14. Lost a hubcap, bent the wheel rim and needed a new tire.

Expensive trip into pot hole land!

[Chisox08]

17. If you guys are complaining about potholes in NJ

Wait until you hit on of the craters in Chicago. Yes is said craters we don't have potholes. the only good thing about them it does slow down speeders.

[hedgehog]

19. Inside out and upside down speed bumps!

[Vidar]

20. All that money for the infrastructure has become welfare for the rich.

[Thothmes]

24. Disagree. Each State,

throught their legislative processes decided to spend their taxpayers money on other projects.

[w4rma]

25. Like lower taxes on the rich? (nt)

[Thothmes]

26. If that is what the State legislatures

want, then that is the program they pass. They are the ones representing the people of their respective legislative districts.

[WriteDown]

28. You've never been to NJ...

have you? :).

[sarcasmo]

23. Tie Rods, ball joints, and front end alignments here in Michigan

[MountainLaurel]

27. Pennsylvania, traveling at the speed of Ka-Thud

You know when you've crossed the PA border from WV when all of a sudden it sounds like one of your tires has gone flat. I don't know how many times I've pulled over to check my tires on various interstates in PA, when all of a sudden I realize where I am and I know that the potholes and cracks in the road are causing the sound.

[midnight armadillo]

29. Potholes broke my bike fender

I hit a pothole at ~20 mph on my bike, and snapped my front fender in half. I wasn't hugging the right side of the lane either. Some of the roads I pass through near Boston, in some of the swankiest towns (looking at you Lexington, MA - y'all owe me a fender), are just a mess of endless potholes, cracks, and missing pavement chunks. Pathetic.