The credit crunch is not only affecting the UK, and in some areas in America, the states are trying to save money by converting old concrete roads into gravel. In the past, many little-used roads were simply covered with a layer of gravel, and this could be a new trend in cost-cutting, although drivers making use of these roads might not be so keen. Although these measures are so far only confined to a few states in America, if it proves to be a successful economic move, more areas are likely to follow,. Once it takes off, Britain is likely to follow, and it can only be a few years until some of England’s rural roads are being converted into gravel drives. With this in mind, it makes sense to consider just what all the fuss is about.
States Converting to Gravel
So far, the major states converting to gravel include Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New York State, as well as possible unmentioned intervention in North Dakota. Michigan has been one of the most pro-active states, with roads in half of its counties being converted or left to deteriorate into gravel. This action is less than new, with some areas reporting that conversion had begun in some areas by 2007. Ohio currently has converted only rural areas into gravel, with most of the roads affected being ones which had been previously upgraded from liquid asphalt and gravel into traditional asphalt roads.
Economic Reasons for the Changes
As anyone who has driven down England’s roads knows, these surfaces are under constant attack from the weather, from time, and from damage caused by bad drivers. This is also true in America, and like UK councils, the state bodies sometimes find it difficult to get the sums. Estimates from the US suggest that asphalt roads cost around $75,000 for every mile to repair, and states have around $226 million to repair their roads. Converting the road to gravel would cost $2,600 a mile to maintain, making the money go further. Money which is saved here can be used to repair bridges and other roads which are dangerous, to improve the roads overall, and to maintain all of the state’s paths, drives, roads and other public byways. For the moment, the states are concentrating upon areas which are only used by a few drivers, but if it is successful, converting to gravel might extend to all roads serving rural communities.
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