Study: OKC Roads Nearly Worst In US; City Responds

Oklahoma City leaders are reacting to reports that claim the city is one of the worst places in the country when it comes to road conditions.

Tuesday, November 12th 2013, 4:58 pm

By: News 9


Oklahoma City leaders are reacting to reports that claim the city is one of the worst places in the country when it comes to road conditions. According to a recent study from TRIP, the poor conditions are costing drivers a pretty penny every year.

TRIP, a nonprofit transportation research group, says an Oklahoma City driver will spend $782 a year fixing a car because of damaged roads. That's the fourth worst for cities of similar size in the United States.

"You drive around, you find potholes," one driver said. "It [doesn't] seem like they can get them fixed, and it's just not good."

On Tuesday, News 9 was there as Oklahoma City crews were out patching holes in the roads. Currently, city officials admit the roads are in "fair condition" but are improving every day.

"We typically, on an average year, expend approximately $70 million in bond projects that are obviously improving roads across the city," Oklahoma City public works director Eric Wenger said.

8/1/2013 Related Story: Drivers Fed Up With Shoddy SE OKC Road

TRIP says, for overall road conditions, Oklahoma City is ranked number 10 on the list you don't want to be on for cities with at least 500,000 people. Experts say weather is a huge factor.

"The highways are OK," driver Brian Morris said. "Some of the back roads are pretty horrible."

Morris says he just dished out $1,400 to fix the front end of his vehicle. His advice for the city is to stretch that taxpayer dollar.

"Spend the money a little bit more efficiently," said Morris. "Find contractors out there who are willing to do these jobs for less money than they do now."

If you see or feel a pothole, the city wants to know. Call the city's Pothole Hotline at (405) 631-1111.

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