Report: ME rural roads in poor shape
Maine's rural roads and bridges are in need of major improvement, according to a new report from TRIP, a research group in Washington, D.C.
Maine ranked 14th in the country for the worst rural roads, with 19% of the rural roads in poor condition in 2008, with 26% in mediocre condition and 45% in good condition. Maine ranked 12th for rural bridge conditions, with 15% labeled poor and another 15% considered structurally obsolete. However, the state's percentages are not far from national totals. The U.S. total for poor rural roads was 12%, and the total for poor bridges was 13%. "This report quantifies what most Mainers already know: that the condition of our rural roads makes it harder to do business, not easier," said John O'Dea, CEO of the Associated General Contractors of Maine, in a press release. "A $230 million dollar reduction in capital expenditures by Maine DOT during this budget cycle will only quicken the pace of deterioration."
TRIP defined rural America as all places and people living in areas outside of urban areas with a population of 5,000 or greater.
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