Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Investigates Funding Solutions for Arizona's Deteriorating Pavement Conditions on Freeways, Roadways

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                  

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

 Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Investigates Funding Solutions for Arizona's Deteriorating Pavement Conditions on Freeways, Roadways

PHOENIX, ARIZONA—In an effort to bring awareness about Arizona's aging transportation system and the need for increased funding to rehabilitate deteriorating pavement surfaces on the roads and freeways drivers rely on every day, Senate Transportation Committee Chairman David Farnsworth is looking for responsible ways to financially support necessary improvement projects with future legislation for a smoother commute down the road.

According to data from the Arizona Department of Transportation, outside of the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas, a large majority of Arizona's transportation infrastructure was constructed in the 1960s or earlier. As a result, an overwhelming portion of the 28,000 maintenance lane miles ADOT is responsible for preserving has aged past service life. Potholes, bumps, cracks, loose gravel, and other unstable surfaces have become a common encounter on freeways, highways, and roadways statewide, inflicting drivers with treacherous conditions and vehicle damage as they head to their destinations.

According to ADOT, current funding from all state and federal sources only allows for the repaving of about 1% to 2% of all lane miles per year. As a result, these surfaces are only receiving necessary rehabilitation every 50 to 100 years! In 2012, pavement conditions on nearly 60% of ADOT's statewide road system were classified as "good." However, ADOT reported that number has consistently dropped over the years, and in 2022, just 29% of pavement conditions were classified as "good," while 65% were classified as "fair," and 6% as "poor." According to ADOT's estimate, in order to just maintain a "good" classification for only 29% of the state's lane miles, repaving would need to increase to 5% of all lane miles annually, costing an additional $1 billion.

"Maintaining our transportation system should be a top government function, but this principle has fallen by the wayside for many years, creating a bumpy and hazardous drive for hardworking Arizonans and the truckers bringing goods into our state," said Senator Farnsworth. "While we've seen vast technological advances in the automotive and trucking industries over the past decade, we've also witnessed a mass migration of new residents to Arizona, and with the evolution of the electric vehicle, there has been increased wear and tear on our roads requiring immediate attention. It's critical we take a deep dive into potential policy reforms in the coming months to enhance the funding stream for our transportation system to function as necessary and appropriate."

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov