Modified: November 4, 2021 12:10pm
Conditions of roads owned and maintained by Erie County have earned improved grades from an independent and non-partisan transportation advisory organization, with a comprehensive study recently completed by the Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council (“GBNRTC”) providing an update on the surface conditions of the entire county highway system.
According to the Erie County Department of Public Works’ Highways Division, the results of the 2021 Highway Assessment Survey for Erie County roads show the county’s overall road score rising to 7.25, attaining the GBNRTC’s “good” category with an increase from the 6.66 grade received in 2019. This is the highest mark the county has received since 2001. At the same time, federal aid roads in Erie County are at their highest rating (7.47) since ratings began in 1985.
“These recent independent ratings from the Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council prove the good work that my administration and our Department of Public Works have been doing to maintain and improve our transportation infrastructure, having invested hundreds of millions of dollars over the years,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Our road scores have improved significantly over the pasts several years, especially since 2015, and have now reached our highest combined score in twenty years. Additionally, federal aid roads are at their highest score since 1985, when ratings began. This is an example of what good government does: continuing investment in our infrastructure by maintaining, protecting and improving our roads and bridges and providing the roads that residents and motorists expect and deserve.”
Below is a history of Erie County’s GBNRTC road scores spanning the past twenty years:
ROAD SCORES
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021
ALL 6.35 6.24 6.73 6.91 6.97 6.59 6.51 6.16 6.25 6.66 7.25
FED AID 6.47 6.53 6.96 7.05 7.00 6.62 6.57 6.33 7.25 6.76 7.47
NFA 6.24 6.01 6.49 6.77 6.93 6.57 6.45 6.15 6.20 6.56 7.01
The surface condition rating reflects the amount of scaling, cracking, patching, raveling, and faulting on a road’s surface. The ratings of these measures are made on a one to ten scale, where one represents the “poorest” roadway condition and ten the “best” roadway condition. Pavement scores above six are considered a satisfactory pavement condition, while a score of six (fair) denotes minor deterioration. Surface scores of five and below indicate conditions that should be corrected to prevent further deterioration and the need for complete reconstruction at much higher cost. Below is a table explaining each GNBRTC road rating category:
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General |
Condition Rating Description |
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Score Condition |
Surface |
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10 Excellent |
There are no visual derivations from a smooth surface. Pavement recently |
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constructed, reconstructed, or overlaid within the last years. |
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9 Excellent |
Pavement should have no cracks or patches. Flexible pavement recently resurfaced |
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within the past year or two. Overlay pavements may show evidence of some hairline |
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reflection cracking. Rigid pavement joints function properly. |
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8 Good |
Pavements give an excellent ride but show infrequent to occasional signs of surface |
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deterioration. Flexible pavements begin to show very slight evidence of raveling, |
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cracking, and wheel track wear. Rigid pavements begin to show very slight evidence |
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of surface deterioration such as cracking, joint spalling, or scaling. Overlay pavements |
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show evidence of very slight reflection cracking. |
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7 Good |
Pavements give a good ride but show infrequent to occasional signs of surface |
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deterioration. Flexible pavements show evidence of slight rutting, random cracking |
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and some raveling. Rigid pavements show evidence of slight joint spalling, scaling, or |
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minor cracking. Overlay pavements show evidence of slight reflection cracking |
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and multiple cracking at reflection cracks. |
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6 Fair |
Riding quality is noticeably inferior to new pavements, showing infrequent to occasional |
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signs of distress. Surface defects of flexible pavements may include moderate rutting, |
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cracking, and raveling: patching is apparent. Overlay pavements show evidence of |
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slight to moderate cracking and raveling along cracks. |
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5 Poor |
Riding quality is noticeably inferior to new pavements but may be tolerable for high speed |
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traffic. Pavements show occasional to frequent signs of distress. Surface defects of |
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pavements are the same as under the 6 rating but are more severe. |
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4 Poor |
Pavements have deteriorated to a point where resurfacing is required, showing occasional |
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to frequent distress. Rideability, even at slow speeds, is impaired. Surface defects on |
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flexible pavements include sever rutting, cracking, raveling, and patching. Surface |
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defects of rigid pavements include severe joint spalling, cracking, scaling and patching. |
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Overlay pavements show evidence of severe surface delamination. |
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3 Poor |
Pavements have deteriorated to a point where resurfacing is required immediately. |
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Flexible pavements show evidence of severe and frequent scaling, joint spalling, faulting |
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cracking, and patching. Rigid pavements show signs of frequent and severe joint spalling, |
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cracking and scaling. |
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2 Poor |
Pavements are in extremely deteriorated condition and may require complete reconstruction. |
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Motorists experience discomfort and travel speeds will decrease. |
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1 Poor |
Pavements are in extremely deteriorated condition and need immediate corrective |
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action. There facilities are considered impassable at posted speeds. |
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For more information:
On the Erie County Department of Public Works visit https://www2.erie.gov/dpw/
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