Over $1,800 hundred dollars, that’s how much money a new transportation study says New Yorkers are spending each year to repair their cars due to unsafe roads.
“The hope is that our message here today will resonate with the governor and our legislative leaders and that they will prioritize addressing the deep deterioration of this aging and ailing transportation infrastructure to help lift the state’s economy,” said Jeff Smith, NYS County Highway Superintendent Association President.
TRIP, a national transportation nonprofit found that 16% of major local and state roadways in the Capital Region are in poor condition; 23% are rated mediocre.
AAA believes improved roads can improve tourism and economic statistics.
“We see the cost that is put under consumers when they have automotive issues based on poor roads We also see that investments in infrastructure can improve New York’s economy and support New York’s economy,” said Elizabeth Carey, AAA Western & Central New York.
If you’re traveling, you’re likely driving across a bridge. The study also looked at the condition of bridges across the state.
We know that as bridges deteriorate and as they age, the cost of improvements increases,” said Rocky Marotti, Director of Policy, Research TRIP Transportation. “You’ll see these bridges restricted to lighter-weight vehicles would certainly have economic consequences.
But repairing bridges and roadways can cost thousands if not millions of dollars. Inflation and supply chain demands pose the biggest challenges.
The Infrastructure Investment Act of 2022 helped but only so much, according to transportation researchers.
Rocky Marotti/ Director of Policy, Research TRIP Transportation
“It increased those funds by approximately 50%,” said Unfortunately, since it was passed, we’ve also seen an increased rate of inflation in highway construction costs, which is labor and materials, essentially, of 46%.”