Utah residents feel like every highway, freeway, road, side road, and driveway is under renovation all the time. Often this seems true, for many of Utah's roads are under perpetual construction, often falling behind schedule with the massive overhauls that they must accomplish. No one can escape this inevitable construction – they must bear it with patience. Yet, all of their patience has paid off by living in the state with the safest and best-kept roads in the nation, according to the Daily Herald. Drivers can now drive their Ford Mustang or their Chevy Explorer on the safest roads in America. The deserve it after the long wait.
This prestigious rank was awarded to Utah's urban roads, which are currently regarded as the best paved roads of any state right now. The Utah Department of Transportation spent a considerable amount of money on these roads, yet managed to spend less than the national average: UDOT reports that they managed to spend $13,710 per mile rather than the projected $42,000 in administration costs. Despite this, the 5,840 mile project adds up to some serious totals, estimated around $1.6 billion. Their efficiency in their administrative costs is their only escape from blowing the budget. Because of this efficient spending, they managed to be ranked in the low 20% of the nation when it came to the amount spent on roads.
To get an idea of how much can be spent per mile, one would need to purchase 14 Ford Escape SUV's as an equivalent to working on one mile of road. That is a hefty sum, yet Utah has a less extensive network of roads, which allows them to spend less than other states.
Urban roads are Utah's current forte, for their rankings in other aspects of transportation are somewhat above average, contributing to an overall average national score. Their congestion ratings were ranked at 26th, which is no surprise when one looks at the sky above Salt Lake City. Urban traffic moves at the most efficient pace in the country, which is a plus, but the rural interstate pavement score suffered somewhat, being ranked at 22 in the nation. Fortunately, the number of driving fatalities in Utah have decreased since the turn of the century, which is attributed to the improved conditions and warning signs on the pavement.
Overall, Utah managed to score 26 in the nation for road conditions and driving experience. After a few more years, rural roads will be manageable for cars other than a Ford Escape, for the state has big plans to continue their work.
This prestigious rank was awarded to Utah's urban roads, which are currently regarded as the best paved roads of any state right now. The Utah Department of Transportation spent a considerable amount of money on these roads, yet managed to spend less than the national average: UDOT reports that they managed to spend $13,710 per mile rather than the projected $42,000 in administration costs. Despite this, the 5,840 mile project adds up to some serious totals, estimated around $1.6 billion. Their efficiency in their administrative costs is their only escape from blowing the budget. Because of this efficient spending, they managed to be ranked in the low 20% of the nation when it came to the amount spent on roads.
To get an idea of how much can be spent per mile, one would need to purchase 14 Ford Escape SUV's as an equivalent to working on one mile of road. That is a hefty sum, yet Utah has a less extensive network of roads, which allows them to spend less than other states.
Urban roads are Utah's current forte, for their rankings in other aspects of transportation are somewhat above average, contributing to an overall average national score. Their congestion ratings were ranked at 26th, which is no surprise when one looks at the sky above Salt Lake City. Urban traffic moves at the most efficient pace in the country, which is a plus, but the rural interstate pavement score suffered somewhat, being ranked at 22 in the nation. Fortunately, the number of driving fatalities in Utah have decreased since the turn of the century, which is attributed to the improved conditions and warning signs on the pavement.
Overall, Utah managed to score 26 in the nation for road conditions and driving experience. After a few more years, rural roads will be manageable for cars other than a Ford Escape, for the state has big plans to continue their work.