A new report released today by TRIP evaluates the condition, use, and funding of the U.S. surface transportation system—including roads, bridges, and transit.
The report—titled "Funding America's Transportation System"—finds that 40% of the nation’s major roads are in poor or mediocre condition, and 7% of bridges are rated in poor/structurally deficient condition. The report also finds that traffic fatality rates are the highest in a decade, 42% of the nation’s busiest roads experience congestion during peak travel times, and one-fifth of transit vehicles have met or exceeded their useful service life.
According to a news release from TRIP, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) will provide a significant boost in federal investment in roads, bridges, and transit and offers an opportunity for the nation to make progress in improving the safety, reliability, and condition of the transportation system. The IIJA will provide $454 billion over the five-year period from 2022 to 2026 for investment in highways and transit, resulting in a 38% increase in federal investment in 2022.
The report includes the total revenue each state will receive over the next five years as a result of the IIJA, and the percentage increase in 2022.
TRIP says despite the increase in transportation funding provided by the passage of the IIJA, the nation’s roads, bridges, and transit systems remain significantly underfunded and will require increased investment for needed improvements and repairs.
“Additional federal funding from the IIJA will help the U.S. move forward with needed improvements to the nation’s roads, bridges, and transit systems that will enhance their condition, safety and efficiency,” Dave Kearby, TRIP’s executive director, said in a statement. “Even with this significant boost in funding, the system remains significantly underfunded and will require increased, reliable and sustained investment to meet the transportation and economic goals of the 21st century.”
According to the Status of the Nation’s Highways, Bridges and Transit: Conditions and Performance Report to Congress released by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2021, the U.S. would need to increase annual road, highway and bridge investment by 55% to make significant improvements in road and bridge conditions, reduce traffic congestion, and improve traffic safety. The report also found that the U.S. would need to increase annual transit investment by 31% to make significant improvements in the condition of transit vehicles and facilities and to increase ridership.
More information and the full report can be found on TRIP's website.
-----------
SOURCE: TRIP
