Preserving the Interstate System

GAO discussed federal and state efforts to preserve the interstate highway system. GAO noted that: (1) in 1988, the Department of Transportation (DOT) classified the condition of 57 percent of interstate pavement as good, 31 percent as fair, and 12 percent as poor; (2) deteriorated pavement resulted in such societal costs as traffic delays, increased fuel costs, decreased productivity, and the potential for increased accidents, injuries, and vehicle damage; (3) although states were responsible for maintaining interstate pavement, some did not adequately fund or perform maintenance; (4) the Federal Highway Administration did not always ensure that states corrected identified maintenance deficiencies, even though some were safety-related; (5) states increasingly used Interstate Resurfacing, Restoration, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction (4R) Program funds for reconstruction and lane widening to respond to worsening congestion; and (6) DOT estimated that states would use about 50 percent of the $4.7 billion to $6.1 billion needed annually in federal and state funds for interstate widening.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

Director: Kenneth M. Mead Team: General Accounting Office: Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division Phone: (202) 512-2834