New York’s road conditions
As of 2008, a full 59% of New York’s state-owned major roads had fallen out of good condition, meaning they will now be increasingly expensive to repair and maintain. Only 39% of New York’s roads were in good condition, the state in which repairs are least expensive.
New York’s highway spending priorities
Between 2004 and 2008, New York spent 4% of its highway capital expenditures on road expansion – $108 million each year on average – and 39% on repair and maintenance of existing roads – $1.2 billion. That 4% of spending on expansion added 58 lane-miles to New York’s road network.
New York would need to spend a minimum of $910 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. The state should be commended for aggressively addressing past underinvestment in maintenance by prioritizing repair spending in recent years. A continued commitment to maintaining existing roads moving forward will be crucial to addressing New York’s repair needs.
New York’s road condition goals
New York uses the Pavement Condition Index and aims to maintain at least 80% of state-owned major roads in “good” or better condition between 2010 and 2015.
For more information about New York’s pavement management program, including the source and methodology for the above information, see the appendices of Repair Priorities.
Read more about New York’s transportation spending
Smart Transportation New York: Save Money and Growth the Economy
This Smart Growth America report provides more extensive analysis of New York’s transportation spending priorities and recommendations for how state leaders can make the most of New York’s transportation funds.
