State roads, not very old, rate among best in U.S.

By Bill Torpy

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

America’s highways and bridges are aging and crumbling, heading to a day of reckoning that will cost the nation billions of dollars, a research study says.

But Georgia’s highways are smooth and its bridges, for the most part, are intact. In fact, on the “road roughness” scale, Georgia’s highways are the nation’s best, according to a study released today by U.S. PIRG (U.S. Public Interest Research Group).

“A lot of the answer is the age of the roads,” said Phineas Baxandall, a senior analyst at U.S. PIRG. “Georgia’s road stock is relatively new. It takes a while to deteriorate. So Georgians are enjoying that ‘new-car smell’ with their roads.”

The state’s relatively light winters are also a big plus, he said.

About 95 percent of Georgia’s highways were rated “good,” and 5 percent rated “fair,” according to a Federal Highway Administration test in 2008 using the “International Roughness Index,” which employs meters in vehicles to measure exactly what the title suggests. None in the state were rated “poor” or “mediocre.”

Alaska, probably not surprisingly because of fierce winters, has the roughest highways, with 35 percent in “poor” or “mediocre” condition and just 25 percent “good.” Alabama follows Georgia for second place with just 1 percent of its roads in “poor” condition and 86 percent “good.”

The study noted 949 bridges in Georgia, about 6 percent of the total, are structurally deficient. That’s among the best ratios in the nation, for the same reason as the roads. The study says road maintenance should not be put off, though, because potential repairs grow exponentially as the years go on.

One thing to keep in mind is the “urban areas have the worst roads,” Baxandall said, and Atlanta’s highways are taking a daily pounding.

Also taking a beating are American autos, the report states. Potholes and poor roads cost the average motorist $335 in repairs and operating costs.

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America best and worst roads

States with the best-rated roads

1. Georgia

2. Alabama

3. Florida

4. Montana

5. Nevada

States with the worst-rated roads*

1. Alaska

2. Rhode Island

3. New Jersey

4. Vermont

5. California

* Washington, D.C.’s roads ranked worse than those of any state

Source: U.S. Public Interest Research Group

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What aboout side streets?

The new U.S. PIRG study on the nation’s crumbling highways found that Georgia’s vehicular arteries are in the best shape in the nation. But getting to those highways these days can be a teeth-chattering, bone-jarring ride.

The metro area’s side streets are increasingly fraught with potholes, bumps and divots. And decreased tax revenues mean that public works departments are having a harder time maintaining them, which causes further deterioration.

What’s the worst road in your town? Where’s the biggest pothole? How long has it been a problem? Tell us about the worst roadways in your area. And include a picture if you can. Send an e-mail to AJC reporter Bill Torpy at btorpy@ajc.com. Please include your name and a daytime phone number. We may contact you for a future story.