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Are rough roads making you fork over extra cash? According to a new study, the answer is yes.
The road information project, or TRIP, recently released a study that shows 26% of the nation's major roads are in poor condition. And all that rough, crumbling asphalt is imposing what trip calls a "hidden tax" on motorists, an average of $383 spent on extra vehicle maintenance each year.
But TRIP spokeswoman Carolyn Bonafis says there's good news for Utah Drivers. "Compared, of course, to a lot of the other cities on the list, and to the national averages in all of those categories, Salt Lake City certainly does have some pretty good pavement conditions," she said.
According to TRIP figures, only 2% of Salt Lake roads are in poor condition, while 37% are listed as in good condition. TRIP estimates that Salt Lake residents pay about $193 extra dollars each year because of bad roads.
The Utah Department of Transportation puts a lot of effort into treating and sealing roads during summer, and plowing them in the winter. But that doesn't mean there aren't a few potholes that escape UDOT's notice, and if you hit one, your suspension could be in trouble.
"Potholes are usually just suspension," said LW Auto Body Shop worker Paul Bailey. "Bent parts, usually just control arms and struts and knuckles, stuff like that."
A fix can set you back anywhere from $300 to $2,000. UDOT spokeswoman Bethany Eller says the department is well aware of how much bad roads can cost motorists.
"That's one of the reasons we try to maintain our roads," said Eller. "Not only because it's cheaper for our operating costs but also for the users."
One of the best ways for drivers to help keep Utah's roads in good shape is to just call UDOT and report any potholes or debris they might see. UDOT will usually have it repaired within the week.
