In May 2009, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and The Road Information Program, a national transportation research group, released a report entitled “Rough Roads Ahead, Fix Them Now or Pay for it Later,” that focused on the nation’s infrastructure needs. Here’s a by-the-numbers breakdown of their findings:

• One-third of the nation’s highways (interstates, freeways and major roads) are in poor or mediocre condition

• More than one-quarter of major urban roads, which carry the brunt of national traffic, are in poor condition

• Only 35% of New York State’s roads are in good condition; almost half are rated either poor or mediocre

• New York City/Newark ranked sixth on the list of urban areas with the highest percentage of roads in poor condition—54%

• On average, New York City drivers pay an additional $638 per year to operate their vehicles due to damage caused by poor roads; statewide, the average additional cost per year in New York is $405

Quick Facts: The Nation’s Roadways
Total miles of public roads—3,967,159 miles
Total miles of federal roads—128,378 miles (3.2 percent)
Total miles of state roads—783,643 miles (19.8 percent)
Total miles of local roads—3,055,138 miles (77 percent)
Total miles of rural roads—2,939,042 (74 percent)
Total miles of urban roads—1,028,107 (26 percent)

Fun Fact
In 1872, the first asphalt paved roads were built in North America: Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C. and Fifth Avenue in New York City.