L.A. has 2nd-worst roads in nation, report shows
09-22-10, 04:05 PM
#1
L.A. has 2nd-worst roads in nation, report shows
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_16145463?source=rss
man, so glad i don't go to LA that often anymore
man, so glad i don't go to LA that often anymore
Nearly two-thirds of the major roads in the Los Angeles area are in poor condition, earning the metro region the second-worst ranking in the nation, according to statistics released today by a national transportation research group.
Los Angeles roads were ranked the second-worst among the nation's regions with populations greater than 500,000, according to a report by TRIP, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit group, which analyzed government data from 2008.
Los Angeles also ranked second-worst for automobile operating costs due to poor roads, estimated at $746 annually. The dollar amount figures in repairs and maintenance, increased fuel consumption and tire wear.
The report listed 63 percent of Los Angeles' major thoroughfares as being in poor condition — more than twice the national average for large population areas of 24 percent. It also said only 5 percent of major streets were in good condition.
Six of the 10 worst regions in the report were in budget-strapped California. San Jose is the worst, with 64 percent of its major roadways in bad shape, according to the report.
Other areas with rough roads are Concord, San Francisco-Oakland, San Diego, the Coachella Valley between Indio and Palm Springs, according to TRIP.
The best roads in regions with populations greater than 500,000 are in Atlanta, where 84 percent are in good shape, according to the report.
Street conditions are likely to worsen in the near future because of state budget deficits, the completion of federal stimulus funding and the failure of Congress to advance a long-term federal program to improve roadways, the report concluded.
"Repairing rough urban roads could ease the burden on drivers and provide a smoother ride while creating jobs and boosting the economy," said Will Wilkins, the executive director of TRIP.
Los Angeles roads were ranked the second-worst among the nation's regions with populations greater than 500,000, according to a report by TRIP, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit group, which analyzed government data from 2008.
Los Angeles also ranked second-worst for automobile operating costs due to poor roads, estimated at $746 annually. The dollar amount figures in repairs and maintenance, increased fuel consumption and tire wear.
The report listed 63 percent of Los Angeles' major thoroughfares as being in poor condition — more than twice the national average for large population areas of 24 percent. It also said only 5 percent of major streets were in good condition.
Six of the 10 worst regions in the report were in budget-strapped California. San Jose is the worst, with 64 percent of its major roadways in bad shape, according to the report.
Other areas with rough roads are Concord, San Francisco-Oakland, San Diego, the Coachella Valley between Indio and Palm Springs, according to TRIP.
The best roads in regions with populations greater than 500,000 are in Atlanta, where 84 percent are in good shape, according to the report.
Street conditions are likely to worsen in the near future because of state budget deficits, the completion of federal stimulus funding and the failure of Congress to advance a long-term federal program to improve roadways, the report concluded.
"Repairing rough urban roads could ease the burden on drivers and provide a smoother ride while creating jobs and boosting the economy," said Will Wilkins, the executive director of TRIP.
09-22-10, 04:38 PM
#4
san diego roads are unbearable. such a great view of the waters and so many attractions, and they cant fix the roads?! but i'll be seeing how bad san jose roads are really soon 
09-22-10, 04:40 PM
#5
Lexus Fanatic
Maybe the ranking is done of sheer number of miles (for cities over 500K people) and SJ does have a lot of miles of road.
09-22-10, 05:41 PM
#7
but when talking about LA, i guess it also depends on which part. some part is ok, but in a lot of areas, it's pretty painful
Trending Topics
09-22-10, 05:57 PM
#8
Pole Position
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: TX
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
09-22-10, 07:23 PM
#10
Rookie
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: IL
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting. Would have thought the worst roads would be in a snowy region. Salt and ice just wreak havoc on roads. If areas like LA and San Jose had to deal with winters like the northern and eastern parts of the country, the roads would be even worse than they are now.
09-22-10, 07:27 PM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
Isn't part of the road problem in SoCal the result of unstable ground, geologic fault lines, and a lot of minor seismic activity (besides the bigger earthquakes, of course) that periodically shake the road beds and cause warps, humps, breaks in the pavement, and slight misalignment of bridges/overpasses? That's something that goes beyond simple budgets and paving/service crews. You can't stop nature.
09-22-10, 07:32 PM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
Interesting. Would have thought the worst roads would be in a snowy region. Salt and ice just wreak havoc on roads. If areas like LA and San Jose had to deal with winters like the northern and eastern parts of the country, the roads would be even worse than they are now.
09-22-10, 07:36 PM
#13
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Park Ridge IL
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here in Chicago we have little saying, we only have to seasons Winter or Road Construction. Chicago has the worst roads possible. No with Daley not running for election we might have some money go to the roads instead of his coffers.
09-22-10, 07:43 PM
#14
Lexus Fanatic
Your Chicago roads, like in Cleveland, get it from both sides.....Mother Nature and poor city government.
09-22-10, 07:46 PM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
Street conditions are likely to worsen in the near future because of state budget deficits, the completion of federal stimulus funding and the failure of Congress to advance a long-term federal program to improve roadways, the report concluded.
"Repairing rough urban roads could ease the burden on drivers and provide a smoother ride while creating jobs and boosting the economy," said Will Wilkins, the executive director of TRIP.
"Repairing rough urban roads could ease the burden on drivers and provide a smoother ride while creating jobs and boosting the economy," said Will Wilkins, the executive director of TRIP.
Although most of the roads right around my house, in the local D.C. area, aren't too torn-up (except for the endless Beltway construction and in downtown D.C. itself), now some of you guys know why I sometimes b**ch about stiff suspensions and low-profile tires.
The best roads in regions with populations greater than 500,000 are in Atlanta, where 84 percent are in good shape, according to the report.
Even the rock-hard IS-F and Mitsubishi Evo wouldn't be too bad in that area. 
Last edited by mmarshall; 09-22-10 at 07:52 PM.