U.S. Needs $101 Billion Annually to Maintain Highways, DOT Report Says
The United States would need to spend $101 billion per year, plus inflation, to maintain its existing highway system over the next 20 years, the Department of Transportation estimated.
The figure came from a new DOT report, “2010 Status of the Nation's Highways, Bridges, and Transit: Conditions and Performance.”
The department’s estimate includes spending levels needed from all government levels, including federal, state and local.
“President Obama is committed to building the transportation infrastructure we need for tomorrow by putting people to work today,” said DOT Secretary Ray LaHood.
“This report shows how important it is important to get started now rebuilding America's roads, bridges and transit systems,” he said in a statement.
All levels of government spent $91.1 billion on highways capital improvements in 2008 — a 48.4% increase over 2000, DOT said.
DOT issues the report to Congress every two years. The version released March 16 reflects 2010 conditions.
Click here to view the report. (DOT website.)
