NC Roads really are terrible...

For the amount of money I spend in North Carolina taxes, this is disgraceful:

(From the Triad Business Journal online -- 10 Feb 04)

LATEST NEWS
2:55 PM EST Tuesday

Report: N.C. roads among worst in country
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North Carolina's state-maintained highways rank among the worst in the nation in pavement condition and congestion, says a study by David Hartgen, professor of transportation studies at UNC-Charlotte.

Hartgen's latest annual report, which examines trends in highway data from 1984 to 2002, determined that North Carolina ranks 45th in the nation in highway performance and 36th in the cost-effectiveness of its state-maintained road system.

North Carolina's overall ranking in 2002 was 36th; in 2001, the state ranked 20th.

The state's transportation problems are noticeable in rural pavement conditions and traffic congestion on urban interstates. Only three states -- California, Maryland and Minnesota -- have a higher percentage of congested urban interstates.

North Carolina ranked 42nd in the condition of urban interstates, 44th in rural interstate condition and 45th in the condition of rural primary roads.

The study was based on state data submitted to the federal government for 2002, the latest year available.

North Carolina has the second-largest, state-maintained road system in the country. Its per-mile expenditures historically have lagged other states. In 2002, the state spent $7,228 per mile to maintain roads. The national average is $16,478.