National Study: N.J. Roads Ranked Among The Worst
CLIFTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – When it comes to the condition of state roads, a new study ranks New Jersey as one of the lowest in the nation.
As CBS 2's Alice Gainer reported, the state actually spends the most per mile on the roads—$2 million per mile to be exact—but the state ranks near the bottom when it comes to their overall condition.
Many of the drivers Gainer spoke with said that's not very surprising.
For some, it's hard to believe that's money well spent given all the potholes, crumbling bridges and other deficiencies.
"When I have relatives come from out of state, they can't believe we have all these toll roads," East Rutherford resident Arlene Melchionne said. "We have toll roads, all our other roads are terrible."
In its 21st annual Highway Report, California-based Reason Foundation says New Jersey ranks 48th in the nation when it comes to the overall condition of the roads, measured against the cost of maintaining and operating them.
The state also ranks No. 36 in deficient bridges.
However, when it comes to fatalities on the state's roads, New Jersey ranks fifth-- one of it its better rankings.
Compared to past years, the state has consecutively been ranked poorly overall. In 2012 it was 48th, 47th in 2011 and 46th in 2009.
When Gov. Christie was asked about it, he dismissed the numbers.
"And there's other rankings that show different, so no, I don't have any comment on that," he said.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation says New Jersey is one of the most densely populated states in the nation and because it has some of the busiest ports, it serves as a primary commerce corridor leading to a lot of truck traffic.
"Our transportation infrastructure is older than most states and the high volume of traffic, particularly heavy trucks, takes a toll on our roads requiring more frequent work," the department said.
Garden State drivers say no kidding.
"They're in such disrepair that it's hard to catch up. It's like trying to swim with a weight around your weight," Clifton resident Sean Means said.
But there are a couple drivers who say there aren't any problems.
"You don't have bumps and there's never any problems with the New Jersey roads," Beatriz Maldonado of East Orange said.
If you're wondering who ranks worse than New Jersey, it's Alaska and Hawaii. New York ranks 43rd and Connecticut is 44th.
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