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Was just talking to a co-worker, we was wondering if their is any states left that have their own road dept and build the state roads without having somebody to build them? If i remember correctly, my home state had their own Dept and the roads were far better, till a governor decided to limit that dept and issue bids for roads, and become UN-usable. Matter of fact, they are still working on the same 10 mile road down south for past 20 years, doing one mile at a time..
we was wondering if their is any states left that have their own road dept and build the state roads without having somebody to build them?
Don't believe so, but some cities and counties do their own work.
Bidding work is supposed to be cheaper than DIY due to payroll and pension costs.
Much of the roadway costs are wasted on federal regulations, uniform act, NEPA, and bureaucratic FHWA rules. If a project needs an EA/ER and have 4f/6f impacts, it is a huge pain in the butt.
Projects cost less than quarter million aren't worth getting federal funding for and dealing with federal regulations.
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Matter of fact, they are still working on the same 10 mile road down south for past 20 years, doing one mile at a time..
Few reasons for that.
It can be attributed to federal regulations, if a project only impact a small amount of wetlands/historical/archaeological, then the paperwork and project gets built quicker.
Or funding is limited to just doing little piece at a time.
Or it's filler work to keep a contractor busy.
As we saw clearly in the 55-era, the federal government can force any state to enact and enforce any regulation they want, just by threatening to withhold federal funding for something.
All states have a transportation dept. Whether or not, they are properly staffed to deliver sufficient maintenance is another issue. All states issue contracts to contractors to work on roads including repairs, rehabs, realignments and new road construction. That's just how things work. Some states are better at utilizing the funds they receive from the three main sources (local, state, and federal funds). Depending on the location and complexity, that would determine the funding a particular project receives.
The local-areas, cities, have more impact on road-quality.
Sure, the big stuff, state roads/highways, is majorly affected by the state. But where I am currently staying, Spokane, wow, the local-roads look 3rd-world'ish.
All states have a transportation dept. Whether or not, they are properly staffed to deliver sufficient maintenance is another issue. All states issue contracts to contractors to work on roads including repairs, rehabs, realignments and new road construction. That's just how things work. Some states are better at utilizing the funds they receive from the three main sources (local, state, and federal funds). Depending on the location and complexity, that would determine the funding a particular project receives.
You would think the state would hold accountability to the owners if the roads are starting to fall apart after a year or two when it was "completed"? Other words, make the contract to fix the road for next 10 years or we move on to another provider? Remembering my old family friend that worked for the AHWY Dept in the early 90s and he was the foremen of a group. His group was to fix the entire road of hwy 84 for the longest, and man he kept that road up for years, then a governor/state congress decided to put that road up for auction to the lowest bidder, and man that road is more eff up then your grandma dirt road. But its a hit and miss, as some toll roads are some of the best roads to drive on, and some are the worst! ( NY,NJ, parts of OK) looking at you!
I am a great believer in outsourcing projects / services rather than have government organizations do the work. Use companies that specialize in the work, have specific performance requirements, use competitive bidding, and let government concentrate on project management and performance / financial audits.
My experience in numerous industry areas show that building, maintaining, funding, and managing internal specialty functions outside of the primary strategic organization goals rarely is the best solution.
Let government at all levels worry about providing for citizens with the best long term plan without getting into the business best done by independent companies. No, I don't really want my government in the construction, power, and other business.
I am a great believer in outsourcing projects / services rather than have government organizations do the work. Use companies that specialize in the work, have specific performance requirements, use competitive bidding, and let government concentrate on project management and performance / financial audits.
My experience in numerous industry areas show that building, maintaining, funding, and managing internal specialty functions outside of the primary strategic organization goals rarely is the best solution.
Let government at all levels worry about providing for citizens with the best long term plan without getting into the business best done by independent companies. No, I don't really want my government in the construction, power, and other business.
Problem is these private specialize group are doing shoddy work, for what job security? Their will always will be roads and bridges to build, so why not build them right the first time instead of tearing them up after only a month in service.
Problem is these private specialize group are doing shoddy work, for what job security? Their will always will be roads and bridges to build, so why not build them right the first time instead of tearing them up after only a month in service.
If roads are being tore after a month of service, then they were poorly designed or poorly constructed by the contractors. If contractors are doing bad work, then it is up to the agency/road dept. to hold the contractors accountable and assess the correct the penalties to those contractors and have them correct the issue. A lot of agencies do not hold these contractors accountable due to political reasons and other reasons.
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