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Immigration See other Immigration Articles Title: (Illegal Aliens) Compared to Calif., Metro roads great A list of the nation's top 10 cities with the bumpiest roads has come out of Washington, D.C., and guess what? Detroit isn't on it! This doesn't mean that driving on Metro Detroit roads is like a puck gliding across the ice. We still have plenty of room for improvement, according to a study released Monday by TRIP (The Road Information Program), a national transportation group. Dollar-wise, driving on roads in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties costs motorists an additional $474 in extra maintenance costs (compared to $457 in 2005) due to potholes, rough pavement and crumbling concrete. But that figure is well below the $705 in additional wear and tear on vehicles in San Jose, Calif., the city with the roughest roads. All figures are compared to the AAA national estimate for the annual cost of operating a vehicle. The study -- which relies on data from the Federal Highway Administration -- was based on road conditions in areas with a population of at least 500,000. According to TRIP, San Jose had the bumpiest roads followed by Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland, Calif.; Kansas City, Mo.; New Orleans (pre-Katrina); San Diego; Sacramento; St. Louis; Omaha, Neb.; and New York City. Area still above U.S. average The study also stated 33 percent of the Metro Detroit's roads were in poor condition (the same as in 2005), but that percentage looks pretty good next to San Jose's 66 percent rating. "But the Detroit area's percentage of roads in poor condition is still above the national average of 26 percent," said TRIP spokeswoman Carolyn Bonifas. "And the additional cost of operating a vehicle has gone up, although not by much. These are things that lawmakers should keep in mind when allocating money for road repairs. But overall, Detroit is holding its own." In the past five years, MDOT has invested almost $1.5 billion in Metro Detroit roads and bridges while the Road Commission for Oakland County has invested about $400 million. Figures for Wayne and Macomb counties were unavailable. Warren resident Anthony Marcetti agrees our roads are getting better, but still need work. "The state has been putting a lot of money into the roads, but I've seen a big improvement so I'd say we're getting our money's worth," Marcetti said. According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, the state is well on its way to having 90 percent of MDOT's roads (any road designated with an "I", "U.S." or an "M") in good condition by the end of 2007. "We estimate that currently that about 88 percent of the roads under our jurisdiction are in good condition," said MDOT spokesman Bill Shreck. "The governor's 'Preserve First' and 'Jobs Today' program will free up an additional $80 million in matching road funds so road commissions and cities can improve their own roads. The big problem is still money." According to TRIP, the stress on U.S. roads is going to get much worse, with vehicle travel expected to grow by 33 percent by 2020, while truck traffic will jump 39 percent for the same time period. Funds are scarce Conditions are also expected to worsen because of funding shortfalls. All levels of government are spending $11.2 billion annually to maintain the country's roads, but the needed annual investment is $19.3 billion. According to the study, through 2020, the U.S. faces a $76 billion shortfall to maintain urban roadways and a $138 billion shortfall to make significant improvements to urban roadways.
Poster Comment: Detroit is not thought of as a center of prosperity. California has the three cities with the worst roads. The only reason for it is the flood of illegal aliens which has drained the state's resources. Cheap labor isn't cheap. You pay for it in school, hospital and welfare costs. And lower wages combined with higher rent has impoverished so many native born that they either seek assistance or leave the state/
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