The group indicates in its report 42 percent of major urban roads are in mediocre or fair condition and only 21 percent are in good condition.
Of the eight largest urban areas TRIP studied, Utica had the highest percentage of roads in good condition at 46 percent, followed by Rochester (40 percent) and Buffalo (37 percent).
New York City Metro had the least percentage in good condition at 13 percent and the most in poor condition at 51 percent.
Bridges are in similar decline, TRIP says, with 39 percent of bridges showing “significant deterioration or do not meet modern design standards”, with 27 percent being functionally obsolete (FO) and 12 percent being structurally deficient (SD).
New York City Metro had the highest percentage as FO and SD at 57.1 percent, followed by Poughkeepsie-Newburgh (42.8 percent) and Rochester (42 percent). Binghamton had the fewest bridges in the two categories, at 28.6 percent.
Road conditions and bridge conditions, TRIP reports, are costing motorists $6.3 billion in vehicle operating costs, $6.2 billion in safety issues (collisions) and $12.4 billion in congestion-related delays. New York City Metro leads the largest urban areas in these costs at $2,798 per person, followed by Poughkeepsie-Newburgh ($2,282) and Albany ($1,999). Binghamton is the lowest at $1,406 per person.
“In 2015 alone, AAA serviced more than 200,000 flat tire calls throughout New York – many of which were due to potholes and other hazardous road conditions,” says John Corlett, Legislative Committee chairman at AAA New York State. “This is a symptom of the lack of adequate investment in roads. I look forward to working with the Governor and State Legislature to fully fund the needs of our road and bridge system, which will enhance safety and help improve the quality of life for the millions of drivers who travel on our roads and bridges every day.”
Additional state reportsare available on TRIP’s website at tripnet.org.
