A major challenge facing the region is prioritizing the limited funds available for road and bridge projects. Many communities in the area face the pressing need of preserving the current transportation system. The Akron metropolitan area’s transportation network is made up of over 4,000 miles of roads and 880 bridges. The estimated cost just to maintain the current system between now and 2030 is over $1.9 billion (current dollars).
With this steep cost also comes a need for some communities to expand the current road network by adding additional through lanes. Many suburban communities have seen an influx of residents and jobs over the past decade. These population increases have put pressure on the communities to expand the transportation network to accommodate the additional traffic.
While both preservation and expansion are important, it will be impossible for AMATS to adequately meet both needs. Over the past year, economic conditions and higher fuel costs have reduced travel in the region and there has been a small, but noticeable shift to other modes of transportation. This trend has slowed the need for some expansion. The region is also experiencing slow population and economic growth, which has limited congestion on the roads. While roadway expansion needs are acknowledged, an emphasis is placed on maintaining existing roads.
