Oregon’s road conditions
As of 2008, 55% of Oregon’s state-owned major roads were in “good” condition, meaning they were smooth and without potholes. 43% of Oregon’s roads had fallen out of good condition, meaning they will now be increasingly expensive to repair and maintain. The condition of 2% of Oregon’s roads was not reported.
Oregon’s highway spending priorities
Between 2004 and 2008, Oregon spent 26% of its highway capital expenditures on road expansion – $211 million each year on average – but only 19% on repair and maintenance of existing roads – $155 million.
During that time, Oregon reduced the total state-owned road network by 3 lane-miles. This decrease, despite a large investment by the state in roadway expansion, may be due to the state transferring ownership of some lane-miles to other jurisdictions.
Oregon would need to spend $416 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.
Oregon’s road condition goals
Oregon uses the Good-Fair-Poor Rating and the Distress Survey to measure pavement condition and aims to maintain at least 78% of state-owned roads in “fair” or better condition over the long term.
For more information about Oregon’s pavement management program, including the source and methodology for the above information, see the appendices of Repair Priorities.
Read more about Oregon’s transportation spending
Smart Transportation Oregon: Save Money and Growth the Economy
This Smart Growth America report provides more extensive analysis of Oregon’s transportation spending priorities and recommendations for how state leaders can make the most of Oregon’s transportation funds.
