California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment PDF Download

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Category : Roads
Languages : en
Pages : 59

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Book Description
California’s local streets and roads system is in crisis, driving state and local governments to a decision point: either pay now to update communities’ deteriorating thoroughfares, or pay much more later to replace them. Due to an aging infrastructure, rising construction costs and budget constraints, the state’s local road network is falling into disrepair at an alarming rate. With heavier vehicles, increasing traffic and the need to accommodate alternative modes of transportation—including buses, bicyclists, pedestrians, the disabled and school children—the demands on California’s streets and roads are growing. At the same time, a growing percentage of streets and roads are in poor condition and in need of repair. Cities and counties own and maintain 81 percent of California’s roads, and these byways are the underpinning of California’s statewide transportation network. From the moment we open our front door in the morning to drive to work, bike to school, walk to the bus station, or buy groceries, we are dependent upon our local streets and roads. Emergency responders and law enforcement rely on the network to save lives and keep us safe. It’s hard to think of a single aspect of daily life that doesn’t involve a local road. The results of the 2012 California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment show that there has been a steady downward trend in the pavement condition since 2008. The majority of California’s counties now have an average pavement condition rating that is considered “at risk” (see maps below). Projections indicate that In 10 years, 25 percent of California’s streets and roads will be in the “failed” category. The state system encompasses bridges and safety and traffic components such as traffic signals, traffic signs, storm drains, sidewalks, and curbs and gutters. Public safety concerns intensify the urgency for state and local decision makers to come up with answers – and funding - for maintenance and repair. This report shows that there is a funding shortfall of more than $82 billion over the next 10 years to bring the system up to date. The current funding level for the local system is $2.5 billion a year. Just maintaining the status quo for pavements will require an investment of an additional $1.9 billion a year. But that still doesn’t resolve the issue that as California grows, its road system is aging and deteriorating rapidly. Lack of any investment will undoubtedly result in higher costs to all users of the state’s transportation system. Cars, bikes, school buses, and utility and emergency vehicles will find it more and more challenging to arrive at their destinations safely and reliably. If bridges fail or are closed for safety reasons, communities will be affected by long detours and delays. Water quality standards will be compromised. The ability to meet clean air standards becomes more difficult as expensive rehabilitation and reconstruction treatments are required. The 2012 Assessment focuses on the transportation needs, but solutions must come from state and local governments, the Legislature, and the people of California. There’s no question that new sources of revenue must be found. The cost to make our local streets and roads safe and reliable should be shared by everyone who uses and benefits from them, whether from the north or south, urban, suburban, or rural areas. Given that new technologies (e.g. hybrids and electric vehicles) continue to improve the efficiency of many types of transportation methods, transportation users must be open to new alternative funding mechanisms. The bottom line is, Californians will have to work together to secure sustainable revenues to prevent our local streets and roads system from collapse. The conclusions from this study are inescapable. Given existing funding levels available to cities and counties for maintaining their local systems, the condition of California’s local streets and roads will continue to decline in the next 10 years. Unless this crisis is addressed, costs to maintain the local system will only continue to grow, while the safety, quality and reliability of California’s local transportation network deteriorates. We cannot afford to delay action. By investing in the state’s local street and road system now, we can avert disaster and strengthen California’s transportation future.