Arkansas’s road conditions
As of 2008 a full 70% of Arkansas’s state-owned major roads had fallen out of good condition, meaning they will now be increasingly expensive to repair and maintain. Only 29% of Arkansas’s roads were in good condition, the state in which repairs are least expensive. The condition of 1% of Arkansas’s roads was not reported.
Arkansas’s highway spending priorities
Between 2004 and 2008, Arkansas spent 51% of its highway capital expenditures on road expansion – $341 million each year on average – but only 18% on repair and maintenance of existing roads – $119 million. That 51% of spending on expansion added 694 lane-miles to Arkansas’s road network.
Arkansas would need to spend $891 million annually for the next twenty years to get the current backlog of poor-condition major roads into a state of good repair and maintain all state-owned roads in good condition. Shifting more funds toward repair would go a long way toward addressing the state’s maintenance needs.
Arkansas’s road condition goals
Arkansas uses the Pavement Condition Rating and the International Roughness Index to measure road conditions but has not set a specific, quantifiable performance target for pavement condition.
For more information about Arkansas’ pavement management program, including the source and methodology for the above information, see the appendices of Repair Priorities.
Read more about Arkansas’ transportation spending
Smart Transportation Arkansas: Save Money and Growth the Economy
This Smart Growth America report provides more extensive analysis of Arkansas’ transportation spending priorities and recommendations for how state leaders can make the most of Arkansas’ transportation funds.
