Gas tax. Between inflation, rising gas prices, increased MPG, and minimal increases to it, it's effectively about 10% of what it was in the '70s. No wonder we can't afford roads. The average American pays about 32 cents per gallon, vs. about $3.20 in the UK...and that's in post-Brexit exchange rates.
Should have made everything out of steel-reinforced concrete. That stuff lasts a long time. Posting a picture of a pothole in asphalt is not going to "waken the kraken."
That's what brought down I-35 in Minneapolis St. Paul. Rebar degrades and causes concrete to crumble. And speaking of things that should "waken the kraken"...
So what is a better solution? Paste asphalt over crumbling concrete, or replace the 90-YO concrete? Drive the Belt parkway on a warm day in February in Brooklyn and get back to us.
Sufficient revenue for maintenance. I'm honestly ambivalent. I ride a bike, not drive. Crumbling interstates mean that many fewer suburban drivers in the city. Or tax the drivers in line with the cost of the maintenance for the damage a car causes to roadways. Same net effect for me either way.
You seem a spritely fellow then. So you will be riding your "bike" in ten years? Twenty? Fifty? You will never need other means of transport? Well, stout pixie, I pray that in your lifetime they will come out with flying cars. We need the flying cars. Where the hell are the flying cars. We need our flying cars!!!!!!!!!!!!