Mar 12, 2008 1:58 pm US/Eastern
Report Ranks Philly Roads Among Worst In The U.S.
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
It's a rough ride for Philadelphians according to a new report released by a national transportation research group Wednesday.
Philadelphia has been ranked the 15th worst city in the country for deteriorating road conditions by The Road Information Program (TRIP), a non-profit organization to improve transportation.
According to the TRIP report, 37 percent of Philadelphia roadways are in poor condition. Los Angeles took the top spot with 65 percent of its roads and highway to be deteriorating.
The report also found Philadelphia residents pay an average of $548 in additional vehicle maintenance annually due to pavement problems.
Tamir Hirt of Reds & Son Auto Body said city potholes bring him business.
"All kinds of front end damage, suspension damage," he said. "Most of the repairs are a few hundred dollars, easily."
PennDOT officials said 250 to 300 miles of highways in the Philadelphia region are resurfaces, with $475 million spent on bridge and roadway improvement in 2007 alone. But with so many roads in disrepair, there is just not enough funding to cover the costs.
The TRIP report states the cost of materials for highway and bridge construction has increased 46 percent since 2004.
Paved surfaces are worn over time due to many factors, including increased traffic and weather.
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