Drakes Corner Road in Princeton: New Jersey roads are the most costly in the nation to maintain. (click to expand.)
Princeton is facing a bill of around $1 million for emergency road repairs after snow plows cut up roads this winter, leaving drivers facing a course of potholes. Meanwhile, a resurfacing project getting underway on Route 206 in Princeton is going to cost another $1.1 million. That means that $2.2 million of taxpayer money will be spent on two road maintenance projects alone. If that seems like a lot, remember this: New Jersey roads are the most expensive in the nation to maintain.
A report released last year details the cost of road maintenance in all 50 states. And New Jersey worked out to be the most expensive in the entire USA. As the report explains:
New Jersey, with 3,333 miles of state highways, spends 8.4 times more than the national per-mile average. It spends more than any other state per-mile of highway, spends more than any other state on maintenance per mile, and more than any other state on capital and bridges per mile.
It’s not surprising that road projects are costly, when New Jersey spends 8.4 times the national average! New York is an expensive state for road maintenance too, but they are ‘just’ 2.6 times the national average. And despite having the highest cost to maintain roads, New Jersey has the third-lowest gas tax! It’s no wonder that there’s no money for transit investment when what little money there is goes to road crews. And it’s one more reason to promote alternative transportation, because walking (and cycling) puts less strain on roads and requires vastly less pavement to transport the same number of people.
Why do you think it costs so much extra to maintain roads in New Jersey? Where is the money going? And how can we get costs under control? Leave your answers using the comments form below.
walkableprinceton 
Reblogged this on NJ Gun Rights Blog.
It’s all about crappy construction quality, super high traffic volumes per mile of road (most of NYS) is super rural and a nasty freeze / thaw cycle that NJ roads endure. Idaho has rather smooth roads but likes to use rough chipseal over asphalt which sucks for cyclists. It’s also super dry which minimizes the freeze / thaw issues and the roads are nearly empty. They do get some nasty frost heaves in the mountains though.
I could see why NJ has the most expensive roads. From freezing snow to traffic, it’s not a surprise that these roads have to be maintenance frequently. However, I will say the costs of doing such are extremely high within this state. Thanks for sharing!
I could see why NJ has the most expensive roads. From freezing snow to traffic, it’s not a surprise that these roads have to be maintenance frequently. However, I will say the costs of doing such are extremely high within this state. Thanks for sharing!
It might have much to do with the nonsense “prevailing wage act”
http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/wagehour/regperm/public_contracts_general.html
What are the Administrative costs
What are the ‘Contractor’ costs
What are the material costs
Compare these costs against NY, CT, PA,Del
Follow the money!!!!!