Would You like a feature Interview?
All Interviews are 100% FREE of Charge
Editor’s Note: This story was originally construction scope.
Roads are a critical component of US infrastructure.
However, many highways, major roads and bridges are in need of repair. Dangerous road conditions can adversely affect the economy, cause traffic congestion, and affect the safety of Americans.
passage of Infrastructure Investment and Employment Law (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package) emphasizes the importance of reliable roads in the United States and our commitment to improving America’s infrastructure.
There is no shortage of roads that need repair. Total highway spending has increased over the past two decades, underscoring the government’s commitment to improving America’s most common form of transportation.
To identify the states with the worst roads, Construction Coverage researchers calculated the percentage of major roads in poor condition. The data used in this analysis is from the US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.
Major roads are defined to include interstates, other highways, highways, other major highways, and minor highways. Find the detailed methodology at the end.
Here are the states with the worst roads:
15. Pennsylvania
- Percentage of major roads in poor condition: 16.8%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 39.9%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 43.3%
- Daily vehicle mileage per person: 18.8
14. Colorado
- Percentage of major roads in poor condition: 17.5%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 41.0%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 41.5%
- Daily vehicle mileage per person: 23.4
13. Louisiana
- Percentage of major roads in poor condition: 17.6%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 41.9%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 40.4%
- Daily vehicle mileage per person: 28.4
12. Michigan
- Percentage of major roads in poor condition: 18.4%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 30.6%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 51.0%
- Daily vehicle mileage per person: 23.8
11. New Mexico
- Percentage of major roads in poor condition: 19.6%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 30.6%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 49.9%
- Daily vehicle mileage per person: 31.0
10. Washington
- Percentage of major roads in poor condition: 19.6%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 40.6%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 39.8%
- Daily vehicle mileage per person: 19.6
9. Maryland
- Percentage of major roads in poor condition: 20.5%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 29.1%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 50.4%
- Daily vehicle mileage per person: 23.1
8. Wisconsin
- Percentage of major roads in poor condition: 22.1%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 37.6%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 40.2%
- Daily vehicle mileage per person: 27.2
7. Connecticut
- Percentage of major roads in poor condition: 23.7%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 43.3%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 33.1%
- Daily vehicle mileage per person: 22.9
6. New York
- Percentage of major roads in poor condition: 24.0%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 36.7%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 39.3%
- Daily vehicle mileage per person: 14.4
5. Hawaii
- Percentage of major roads in poor condition: 26.1%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 44.7%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 29.0%
- Daily vehicle mileage per person: 16.9
4. Massachusetts
- Percentage of major roads in poor condition: 29.5%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 35.9%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 34.6%
- Daily vehicle mileage per person: 21.6
3. California
- Percentage of major roads in poor condition: 30.8%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 32.9%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 36.3%
- Daily vehicle mileage per person: 20.9
2. New Jersey
- Percentage of major roads in poor condition: 36.4%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 31.1%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 32.5%
- Daily vehicle mileage per person: 20.5
1. Rhode Island
- Percentage of major roads in poor condition: 38.8%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 37.1%
- Percentage of major roads in good condition: 24.0%
- Daily vehicle mileage per person: 17.8
methodology
The data used in this analysis are from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Expressway Statistics Series.
To identify the states with the worst roads, Construction Coverage researchers used the most recent data available to calculate the percentage of major roads in poor condition. In the event of a tie, the state with the lowest percentage of major roads in good condition is ranked higher.
Major roads are defined to include interstates, other highways, highways, other major highways, and minor highways.
The International Roughness Index (IRI) was used to classify roads as poor, fair or good according to the following criteria:
- Bad: IRI greater than 170 inches/mile
- Moderate: IRI between 95 and 170 inches/mile
- Good: IRI less than 95 inches/mile
