Nearly every motorist has experienced the all-too-frequent aggravation or damage to a vehicle that comes with driving on poorly maintained or damaged roads and bridges. But did you know the poor condition of some of our state's roads and bridges may be costing you hundreds of dollars per year?
A report released last month by TRIP, a national transportation group, calculates the additional vehicle operating costs resulting from driving on New York roads that are in need of repair. The report states: "An inadequate transportation system costs New York residents a total of $20.3 billion every year in the form of additional vehicle operating costs, congestion-related delays and traffic crashes."
In Albany, where lawmakers are presently debating the need for additional funding for state and local infrastructure repairs, made more evident this year by an extremely harsh winter, TRIP estimates the additional vehicle operating costs per year to each of these motorists at $479 per vehicle from damage to vehicle components. Add to this figure the costs of congested roads and the lack of desirable safety features and the number swells to $1,622 for a typical Capital Region motorist.
New York's local highway professionals predict shortfalls for our transportation systems, estimated at $1.2 billion annually for local roads and bridges.
Additional funding for roads and bridges is needed at all levels of government. Our two organizations are encouraged that nearly100 Senate and Assembly members have signed a letter to legislative leaders and the governor urging a $50 million increase in local transportation funding and a long-overdue multiyear local capital bridge and culvert program be included in the final state budget.
Considering the out-of-pocket costs to motorists, fixing roads and potholes is sound policy.
Tim Hens is president of the New York State County Highway Superintendents Association and John Corlett is chairman of AAA New York State's legislative committee.