5 Cities with the Worst Roads in the US

In this article, we will be taking a look at the 5 cities with the worst roads in the US. If you wish to learn about more, head straight to the 20 Cities with the Worst Roads in the US.

5. Tucson, AZ 

Insider Monkey Score: 0.8 

Tucson, AZ, faces significant road infrastructure challenges and is ranked fifth in the nation for the highest percentage of roads in poor condition. Initiatives like Proposition 411, funded by a half-cent sales tax extension, aim to collect $740 million over ten years for street improvement projects overseen by independent commissions. Tucson also struggles with road safety, ranking poorly in deadly crashes and traffic violations compared to other US cities.

4. San Diego, CA 

Insider Monkey Score: 0.85 

San Diego, CA, one of the cities with the worst roads in the US, grapples with significant infrastructure challenges, especially with its roads, as it faces a $4.8 billion shortfall for crucial projects like stormwater management. Recent reports indicate a worsening of street ratings by 11%, raising concerns about the need for increased road repair funding. The city’s plans to repair streets impact its budget and funding allocations, with expected revenue sources for Capital Improvement Projects slightly decreasing for 2025-2029, partly due to adjustments in Development Impact Fee projections.

3. San Jose, CA 

Insider Monkey Score: 0.9 

San Jose, CA, contends with some of the poor roads in the US, which imposes a significant financial burden on motorists, averaging $983 per driver in additional maintenance costs. The city faces a $1.7 billion maintenance backlog, with $845 million allocated to roads and $526 million to pavement. Measures like Measure B and T, including a half-cent sales tax and specific funding for road repairs, aim to tackle this issue. The Department of Transportation prioritizes repairs using the PCI system, focusing on areas identified as “communities of concern” for equitable service allocation.

2. San Fransisco, CA 

Insider Monkey Score: 0.95 

San Francisco, CA, faces infrastructure and transportation challenges, with SFMTA grappling with a structural deficit due to expenditure exceeding revenue growth. The $468 million Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2021 is vital for transportation infrastructure development, covering transit optimization, fleet management, and street improvements. Balancing maintenance and expansion is crucial for meeting the city’s transportation needs and goals.

1. Los Angeles, CA

Insider Monkey Score: 1 

Los Angeles, CA, tops the list of the cities with the worst roads in the US, impacting its infrastructure market. Financing transportation projects is difficult due to road deterioration, as highlighted in the “Transportation Finance in Los Angeles County” report. Financial statistics influence infrastructure development and road maintenance, including revenue projections from the FY 2024 Revenue Forecast Report and highway spending outlined in Metro’s FY 2023 proposed budget. 

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