County Commission | The Magazine December 2018 | Page 21

FROM THE COVER
Much Road & Bridge
Work Needed, But
Funding Falls Short
As ATRIP’s one-time investment in local roads and
bridges comes to an end, road work will slow to a crawl
with current funding.
No additional funding is currently available, and counties
have no way to secure additional resources without the
Alabama Legislature’s help.
Alabama
county paved roads
to be resurfaced
GRADING SCALE
D = 51-69% = Poor, At Risk
MAINTENANCE:
Falling Further Behind

STANDARD ALABAMA

County Repave 100% Repave 57%
ROADS every 15 years 2000-2023
County Rebuild 100% Rebuild 19%
BRIDGES every 50 years 2000-2023
GROWTH 1990-2015
Alabama on the Move, but Infrastructure Lagging
POPULATION
20%
REGISTERED VEHICLES
MILES DRIVEN
SYSTEM
CAPACITY
REPORT CARD
ROADS
Next 5 Years
county bridges to
be replaced
2%
8%
ASCE Infrastructure
14%
Poor to fair condition and
mostly below standard, with
many elements approaching
the end of their service life.
A large portion exhibits
significant deterioration.
Condition and capacity are of
significant concern with
strong risk of failure.
$ $ $ $
Costs Rise, but Funding Declines
46%
57%
• Since 2003, inflation on road
and bridge construction has
increased twice as much as
the consumer price index.
• Improvements in fuel efficiency
continue to undercut funding
for necessary infrastructure.
SOURCES: American Society of Civil Engineers; Association of County Commissions of Alabama; and Alabama Transportation Institute, University of Alabama
COUNTY COMMISSION | 21