Hawaii drivers pay $503 more annually in extra costs

Hawaii ranked seventh in a list of states that have the highest fraction of roads in poor or mediocre condition.  The study released by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group included data indicating that Honolulu motorists pay an extra $688 in operating costs annually due to rough road conditions.  Statewide, that figure was $503 in extra costs for repairs.

File photo by Wendy Osher.

The study suggests that drivers across the nation face more than 90,000 miles of crumbling highways and more than 70,000 structurally deficient bridges. The result, the study says is a drain on the economy and a scourge on quality of life.

Recommendations include policies to adopt fix-it-first rules that give priority to maintenance of existing roads and bridges, set national goals for transportation systems, and hold state governments accountable for achieving results.

The complete report is available at the following link:  https://www.uspirg.org/uploads/3a/1e/3a1e44cd0b1214488d1ff012da466ab8/Road-Work-Ahead-vUS.pdf