In the state condition report, “Louisiana Transportation by the Numbers: Meeting the State’s Need for Safe, Smooth and Efficient Mobility,” TRIP shows that 39 percent of the state’s major locally and state maintained urban roads are in poor condition, with 25 percent being in mediocre conditions, 14 percent in fair condition and 23 percent in good condition. Thirteen percent of locally and state-maintained bridges are structurally deficient.
TRIP also says Louisiana has the seventh highest rate of fatal traffic crashes in the country, with an overall traffic fatality rate of 1.51 per 100 million vehicle miles travelled. The national average is 1.13.
Across the state, vehicle operating costs for motorists are $2 billion, with safety-related issues costing another $2.1 billion and traffic congestion reaching $2.4 billion.
“AAA appreciates TRIP delineating the tremendous cost and loss to the motoring public due to poor roads,” says Don Redman, AAA Louisiana public affairs specialist. “AAA members are aware on a daily basis the shortcomings of our roadway system and want to see greater focus and action to improve our roads.”
TRIP periodically releases state and national reports such as this one to highlight the need for additional investments for transportation infrastructure at the local, state and national levels. These reports are available at tripnet.org.
