Ohio Roads OK But Could Use Extra Credit
By Patrick M. Welsh
Highway Rubber Products, Corp.
North Canton, Ohio

Roads in Ohio's cities are similar to the "C" that showed up on your grade card-good enough to get by, but with some extra effort they could be exceptional. For the most part, the streets and highways in the Buckeye State's major cities are in relatively good condition. Yet, there are areas to improve, as lots of lanes remain potholed and crumbling, costing Ohioans annually hundreds of dollars in vehicle repairs.

A recent analysis by The Road Information Project (TRIP) found nearly 1,000 out of the 2,326 miles of roads in Ohio's major metropolitan areas were rated good. That includes interstates, state and national highways, and local streets. The Lorain-Elyria area had the state's highest percentage of roads rated in good condition with 58 percent. Columbus was second with 51 percent, which was 13th best in the nation for areas with populations more than 1 million. That was followed by Akron (48 percent), the Youngstown-Warren vicinity (45 percent), and Dayton (44 percent). Cleveland had the lowest percentage of good roads at 33 percent, which ranked 21st nationally.

However, 868 miles of roads in the Buckeye State's most populated cities are rated mediocre to poor. Cleveland had the worst roads, as 19 percent of its highways and streets were given a poor rating. Toledo was second with 17 percent, followed by Cincinnati (14 percent), Canton (13 percent), and Dayton (11 percent). Only 5 percent of the roads in Columbus were rated poor.

TRIP also found that Ohio's urban drivers spend an average $242 per motorist in additional costs, such as new tires, suspension work and other repairs, to drive on roads that need fixed. The national average is $358. Cleveland motorists have to spend the most in the state as, on average, drivers pay $326 each year for automobile repairs. Columbus is the cheapest at $169.

TRIP revealed that nearly one-fourth of the major roads in the nation's largest urban areas have significant deterioration and are in need of immediate repair. Boston had the worst roads in the country (57 percent rated poor) for cities with populations more than 1 million, closely followed by New Orleans and Los Angeles (56 percent).

Of the remaining nation's major road mileage, 19 percent was rated in fair condition and 29 percent was rated in good condition. Los Angeles also had the highest extra operating costs with $641 per driver, while Atlanta was the cheapest at $50. Cities in Georgia appear to have the best roads in the nation, as Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus and Savannah all had less than two percent of their highways classified as poor.

Increased highway spending would not only improve the roads Ohioans drive but also provide numerous economic benefits. According to a United States Department of transportation study, every dollar invested in the highway system yields $5.70 in paybacks, such as reduced delays, improved safety, and lower vehicle operating costs.

Road Conditions in Ohio's Major Cities
(Figures represent number of miles)
Information provided by Ohio Construction Information Association