The Real Challenge Behind U.S. Highways: Constant Construction

As I eagerly set off from the bustling New York City for a serene cabin trip in the picturesque Poconos, one thing becomes abundantly clear - roadworks, roadworks, and more roadworks. As I pass the all-too-familiar scene of traffic cones and hard hats on the highway, it dawns on me that these works are either about repair or expansion. Repairs address the natural wear and tear accumulated over 50 years of traversing, while expansion involves adding more lanes to accommodate increasing traffic. But why do U.S. highways seem to be perpetually under construction, and what are the underlying reasons for this phenomenon?

Let's begin by exploring the expansion aspect. On my journey, I come across a project outside East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, near exit 308 on I-80. Here, the highway is undergoing significant development due to economic growth in the past decade, leading to an influx of traffic. To address this surge, new bridges are being built, roundabouts are being added, and the four-lane highway is being widened to six lanes, catering to approximately 80,000 daily vehicles. Despite the efforts to expand, some question whether this approach merely exacerbates the problem of congestion, rather than resolving it.

Similar projects are taking place across the country, such as the nine-billion-dollar highway improvement project on I-45 in Houston, Texas. However, this endeavor has encountered obstacles due to a federal investigation, scrutinizing its environmental and local impact. Residents in predominantly black and Latino neighborhoods express concerns about the displacement of a thousand homes and businesses, underscoring the need to consider social implications along with expansion plans.

Interestingly, not all cities pursuing highway expansion are experiencing population growth. Akron, Ohio, for instance, is witnessing such developments despite facing a decline in population. This raises questions about whether expanding highways truly addresses the root cause of highway issues or simply distracts from underlying problems.

One central issue plaguing U.S. highways is the focus on building new roads and adding lanes rather than prioritizing road quality. The original design of the interstate highway system catered to moderate private car use, not anticipating the current volume of heavy freight vehicles transitioning from rail to asphalt. Consequently, the Northeast, with its older roads, experiences the brunt of the problem. These roads were designed for a 20 to 30-year lifespan but now find themselves well beyond a century, leading to costly maintenance and repairs.

The American Society of Civil Engineers infrastructure report card reflects this predicament, giving U.S. roads a disappointing D grade, with 40 percent of highways in fair to poor condition. The challenge is that constructing long-lasting highways incurs higher costs, making it economically challenging when covering the nearly 45,000 miles of interstate highway. This leads to short-term solutions, such as utilizing cheaper and faster-to-lay asphalt over more durable concrete surfaces.

To compound matters, the federal gasoline tax, which funds highway maintenance, has remained at 18.4 cents per gallon since 1993. Inflation has eroded its buying power, leading to a backlog of repair projects amounting to a staggering 435 billion dollars. However, there is hope on the horizon, as a recent milestone has been achieved with the passing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, allocating 550 billion dollars for transportation funding. This represents the most significant shift in infrastructure investment since Eisenhower's era.

In search of future-proofing the aging highway system, some experts propose using more sustainable materials and techniques, similar to what has been implemented in European highway designs. Thicker road beds and ample concrete have shown promising results, although they entail higher initial costs. The current investment aims to set the course for the next 30 years, focusing on value for money and sustainability.

While we cannot predict a future without roadworks or potholes, the recent legislation represents a pivotal step toward addressing the long-standing challenges faced by U.S. highways. As we navigate the road to progress, it is essential to be grateful that our daily commute isn't as daunting as the perpetual construction zones on our highways.