R.I.'s roads third worst in nation, study says
4:37 PM Tue, May 12, 2009 | Permalink
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It may not surprise Rhode Island drivers, but the state's roads are in the third-worst condition in the nation, according to a new study by a national group of transportation officials. More than two thirds of the state's major roads, the study says, are in either "poor" or "mediocre" condition. State Transportation Director Michael P. Lewis said the study confirms what he has been saying for a long time: That the state's roads and bridges need a major infusion of money to catch up on repairs. The group that did the study, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, used federal figures for 2007, which classify roads in four categories, poor, mediocre, fair and good. Measured two ways, Rhode Island is third worst. Ranking the states by the percentage of roads in poor condition, Rhode Island comes in with that rank, with 32 percent of its roads in poor condition, after New Jersey and California. Adding up poor and mediocre, Rhode Island again comes in third, with 68 percent of its roads falling into those categories. A different pair of states, New Jersey and Hawaii, are worse counting that way. Only 18 percent of Rhode Island's roads were in good condition, the study says. 
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Third worst? Holy cow! Are there two States that don't have paved roads????
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Uhh... Duh??
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Hmm... I wonder whether that has anything to do with my having replaced a tie rod for the second time in less than two years...
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Unfortunately the fuel use tax which is supposed to be for infrastructure has been a major infusion of capital for the general fund. Now we'll need a tax to make up for the tax that was already taken but misallocated.
Perhaps the huling cry can be, "No taxation through misrepresentation."
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If we all pull together on this, we can make RI number in the country for worst roads.
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I am now 42 years old living in florida when I come back to r.I.
I drive over the same bumps and potholes see the same rusting street signs from when I was 20 years old!
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Study after study of negative issues always has Rhode Island ranking at (or near) the top of all the states. We're always the worst in everything. It's quite amazing and very discouraging.
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Just paid $2,000.00 for a new front end on the truck. Add new tires at $800.00. Thought the gas tax was going to fix the roads? One of the highest in the nation, shouldn't we have superior roads?? Where did the $$$$ go?
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