No one likes driving on the edge of a cliff.

But that’s exactly how California residents could soon feel.

Local streets and roads are at risk of deteriorating at a rapid pace unless new funding sources are found, according to behalf of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), League of California Cities and the County Engineers Association of California (CEAC). 

“The California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment report” used data covering more than 93 percent of the state’s local streets and roads. The results of that data showed that, if unchanged, the condition of local roads will deteriorate significantly over the next 25 years.

On a scale of 1 to 100, road conditions are projected to drop to an “at risk” level of 58 in 10 years, and to a “poor” level of 48 by 2033 if left unfunded. The current index of 68 is already placing at the “at risk” category.

According to a press release from the organizations, the analysis concludes that an additional $71 billion dollar investment is needed over the next 10 years to avoid this scenario and maintain street and road quality at the most cost-effective condition. 

“This investment is critical for the safety and mobility of the traveling public, farm to market needs, multimodal needs, and commerce,” Chris McKenzie executive director of the League of California  Cities stated in the release. “Cities and counties own and operate 81 percent of California roads. It’s where every trip begins and ends.” 

Also stated in the release, CSAC Executive Director Paul McIntosh said, “The local street and road system provides two-fold opportunity for economic recovery during the worst fiscal crisis in California in decades. The maintenance and preservation of the local transportation network provides both public and private sector jobs and thus supports economic recovery in every corner of the state.”

The full report can be found at www.savecaliforniastreets.org.