Georgia has the highest rated roads in the U.S. (Washington: maintenance, tax rates)

[DreamKeeper]

I knew Georgia's roads for the most part were in good shape but didn't realize they ranked as best in the country:

State roads, not very old, rate among best in U.S.

America’s highways and bridges are aging and crumbling, heading to a day of reckoning that will cost the nation billions of dollars, a research study says.

But Georgia’s highways are smooth and its bridges, for the most part, are intact. In fact, on the “road roughness” scale, Georgia’s highways are the nation’s best, according to a study released today by U.S. PIRG (U.S. Public Interest Research Group).

See rest of article here: State roads, not very old, rate among best in U.S. *| ajc.com

Americas best and worst roads

States with the best-rated roads

1. Georgia

2. Alabama

3. Florida

4. Montana

5. Nevada

States with the worst-rated roads*

1. Alaska

2. Rhode Island

3. New Jersey

4. Vermont

5. California

* Washington, D.C.’s roads ranked worse than those of any state

Source: U.S. Public Interest Research Group

[neil0311]

No real shock. The roads here are quite good, and SPLOST dedicated to roads helps quite a bit. In Cobb County there are many projects being funded by SPLOST that would not get done otherwise. An example of taxation being used by government to improve infrastructure where citizens could not do the same for themselves individually. With the exception of Montana, these states are in warm climates where there is little impact from snow and freeze/thaw cycles.

It's also no surprise at the states with poor roads. With the exception of CA, they are cold climate states that receive snowfall and treat the roads, resulting in a constant cycle of freeze/thaw which is very punishing to roads. It's interesting as well to see that with the exception of AK, all of the poor road states, with DC, are high tax states. Not drawing a conclusion there myself or any kind of correlation, but rather pointing out that high taxes don't mean better services.

[JPD]

Montana has approximately four roads in the whole state, so it figures they'd be able to keep them in good shape.

[AcidSnake]

I'm not surprise that many of America's roads are in bad shape. That what happens when you reduce the tax rates big time of the top earners in this country. This country would still be a backwater podunk if it weren't for the relatively progressive & evolutionary Interstate Highway system as enacted by President Dwight Eisenhower.

Now that we don't have such funds to lean on, we can expect these roads & bridges to continually degrade without timely maintenance at extremely faster rates. But I guess a fool is born every minute, so we can expect more tragedies like the I-35W Mississppi River bridge collapse in Minneapolis until folks get it through their thick skulls that taxes when done right can serve a public good for everyone.

Just my two cents on the subject.

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by AcidSnake

I'm not surpise that many of America's roads are in bad shape. That what happens when you reduce the tax rates big time of the top earners in this country.

[AcidSnake]

Originally Posted by neil0311

[mccarley]

Originally Posted by AcidSnake

I'm not surpise that many of America's roads are in bad shape. That what happens when you reduce the tax rates big time of the top earners in this country.

The roads should be getting a lot better in the next three years.

[AcidSnake]

I wouldn't hold my breath on that. The anti-tax movement is gaining major steam.

I am expecting a paralysis of government at the national level after the next round of elections at this year's end, similar to the situation in 1995.

Originally Posted by mccarley

The roads should be getting a lot better in the next three years.

[Galounger]

Now that we don't have such funds to lean on, we can expect these roads & bridges to continually degrade without timely maintenance at extremely faster rates. But I guess a fool is born every minute, so we can expect more tragedies like the I-35W Mississppi River bridge collapse in Minneapolis until folks get it through their thick skulls that taxes when done right can serve a public good for everyone.

Many conservatives are gonna wanna label me a socialist for saying this (I'm not). But I agree with Acid Snake on this one. I think we all are much better off with government and taxes providing for things like roads than if it were privatized and we were all having to pay tolls to use roads owned by United Roadways Corporation or such.

Somethings are best provided by the lesser evil that is the big government boogie man. This countries founding fathers were wise enough to see that and they were far from socialist.

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by Galounger

Many conservatives are gonna wanna label me a socialist for saying this (I'm not). But I agree with Acid Snake on this one. I think we all are much better off with government and taxes providing for things like roads than if it were privatized and we were all having to pay tolls to use roads owned by United Roadways Corporation or such.

Somethings are best provided by the lesser evil that is the big government boogie man. This countries founding fathers were wise enough to see that and they were far from socialist.

You are pulling this crap out of your butt. Who ever said roads should be privatized or government shouldn't use taxes to build/maintain them? We pay a ton of taxe specifically dedicated to that effort...motor fuel tax, SPLOST, ad valorem tax.

Most so-called "conservatives" (and true libertarians like myself), have never had an issue with the government doing those things that individuals cannot do for themselves and that are legitimate functions of government. You and I cannot build our own roads, or hire our own army, navy, police, or fire departments, at least not in a realistic sense. No one has ever suggested that the government shouldn't be in the road building and maintaining business. That's a legitimate function of government.

If you look at who funds roads, in most states the federal government funds a large percentage of major projects with the state picking up the remainder. Here in GA in some counties (like Cobb) we have a 1% SPLOST that is dedicated to new roads and road projects. That's part of the reason that we have such good roads, plus many roads are new due to the expansion of the area.

Roads are fundamental infrastructure that support commerce, daily living, and even transit buses ride on them. Along with public defense, public safety, and education, they are one of the primary responsibilities of government, certainly more than an Arts Council or other such fluff.