LITTLE ROCK, AR – A report released during a press conference Tuesday estimates deficient roads cost Arkansans an estimated $2 billion a year.
For individuals, the effect can be bigger than you might expect. The report estimated that an average driver in Little Rock loses nearly $1,700 a year by driving on damaged, congested or unsafe roads.
When you breaks those losses down, it’s about $900 lost from bad roads depreciating the value of your vehicle. It comes to about $550 from congestion and $220 driving on roads without desirable safety features.
The report also estimates Little Rock drivers spend about 26 hours, more than an entire day, stuck in traffic congestion each year.
Other findings in the report included estimates that 23 percent of the state’s local and state-maintained bridges are seriously deteriorating or not up to modern design standards.
The report found tha more than 75 percent of major roads in Little Rock’s area are deteriorated, and only 25 percent of the state’s major urban roads and highways received better than a “fair condition” rating.
“It cost Arkansans a little more than a billion dollars a year in vehicle costs just from driving on bad roads. That’s a cost on the motorist they could be spending on other things to help out the economy,” said Scott Bennett, Director of the Arkansas State Highway Department.
According to those at the TRIP report press conference, long-term federal, state and local funding is the only way to address ongoing issues with the state’s roadway system.
TRIP is a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. Sponsors of its research and operations include insurance companies, companies that handle highway engineering and construction, and other interested parties. The organization notes that the report is based on the state’s data and is an independent review.
For individuals, the effect can be bigger than you might expect. The report estimated that an average driver in Little Rock loses nearly $1,700 a year by driving on damaged, congested or unsafe roads.
When you breaks those losses down, it’s about $900 lost from bad roads depreciating the value of your vehicle. It comes to about $550 from congestion and $220 driving on roads without desirable safety features.
The report also estimates Little Rock drivers spend about 26 hours, more than an entire day, stuck in traffic congestion each year.
Other findings in the report included estimates that 23 percent of the state’s local and state-maintained bridges are seriously deteriorating or not up to modern design standards.
The report found tha more than 75 percent of major roads in Little Rock’s area are deteriorated, and only 25 percent of the state’s major urban roads and highways received better than a “fair condition” rating.
“It cost Arkansans a little more than a billion dollars a year in vehicle costs just from driving on bad roads. That’s a cost on the motorist they could be spending on other things to help out the economy,” said Scott Bennett, Director of the Arkansas State Highway Department.
According to those at the TRIP report press conference, long-term federal, state and local funding is the only way to address ongoing issues with the state’s roadway system.
TRIP is a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. Sponsors of its research and operations include insurance companies, companies that handle highway engineering and construction, and other interested parties. The organization notes that the report is based on the state’s data and is an independent review.
