Community Corner

Local Roads a Bit Better Than County Average

A report released by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission shows road conditions in the county are improving slightly, but overall in need of some serious repair.

If you drive in Foster City, your car loves you. But if you're over on the Coast, in Pacifica, the alignment shop may be your car's best friend.

A new report released by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission grades roads throughout the Bay Area. According to the "Pothole Report", the condition of pavement on the Bay Area’s 42,500 lane-miles of local streets and roads is only fair at best, with the typical stretch of asphalt showing serious wear and likely to require rehabilitation soon. Data puts the region’s 2010 pavement condition index (PCI) score at 66 out of a maximum possible 100 points, as computed on a three-year moving average basis.

South City residents will be pleased to know that their roads rank as "good"--better than average, but with their fair share of bumps along the way.

Find out what's happening in South San Franciscowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The report documents the difficulties we face in maintaining our pavement, and identifies some promising new approaches,” says MTC Chair and San Mateo County Supervisor Adrienne Tissier. “For a while now, the Bay Area has barely been holding its ground in terms of pavement quality. Clearly, we could do a better job. Whether we take the necessary steps is up to us as a region.”

Foster City was highly ranked for good roads when compared to the entire Bay Area, finishing in 5th place behind Brentwood, Belvedere, Dublin and Los Altos.

Find out what's happening in South San Franciscowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At the other end of the scale, East Palo Alto was eight spots from the bottom of the entire Bay Area list, its roads continuing to deteriorate year after year.

Here is the ranking of city roads within San Mateo County, based on the PCI numbers. For explanation:

*PCI scores of 90 or higher are considered “excellent.” These are newly built or resurfaced streets that show little or no distress.

*Pavement with a PCI score in the 80 to 89 range is characterized as “very good,” and shows only slight or moderate distress, requiring mostly preventive maintenance.

*The “good” category ranges from 70 to 79, while streets with PCI scores in the “fair” (60-69) range are becoming worn to the point where rehabilitation may be needed to prevent rapid deterioration. Because major repairs cost five to 10 times more than routine maintenance, these streets are at an especially critical stage.

*Roadways with PCI scores of 50 to 59 are deemed “at-risk,” while those with PCI scores of 25 to 49 are considered “poor.” These roads require major rehabilitation or reconstruction.

Cities in San Mateo County (ranked best to worst by PCI scores)

Very Good

  • Foster City - 81  (121 lane miles)

Good

  • Redwood City - 78  (353 lane miles)
  • Atherton - 77  (106 lane miles)
  • Brisbane - 77  (57 lane miles)
  • Daly City - 77  (254 lane miles)
  • Burlingame - 77  (162 lane miles)
  • San Mateo - 73  (409 lane miles)
  • South San Francisco - 73  (296 lane miles)
  • Portola Valley - 73  (71 lane miles)
  • Hillsborough - 71  (164 lane miles)

Fair

  • San Mateo County - 69  (635 lane miles)
  • San Carlos - 67  (175 lane miles)
  • Colma - 65  (23 lane miles)
  • San Bruno - 63  (178 lane miles)
  • Menlo Park - 63  (200 lane miles)
  • Half Moon Bay - 62  (55 lane miles)
  • Belmont - 60  (135 lane miles)

At-Risk

  • Millbrae - 59  (124 lane miles)
  • Pacifica - 59 (189 lane miles)
  • Woodside - 57  (97 lane miles)
  • East Palo Alto - 53  (80 lane miles)


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