The condition of Richmond’s roads is trending downward.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) just released the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) providing a snapshot of pavement health in each jurisdiction. In 2021, Richmond’s PCI was 62 out of 100, down from 63 in 2020 and 64 in 2019.
PCI scores in the 60-69 range are considered “fair.” Roads in the “fair” category are becoming worn to the point where rehabilitation may be needed to prevent rapid deterioration, according to the MTC. With major repairs costing five to 10 times more than routine maintenance, “these streets are at an especially critical stage,” according to the MTC.
Richmond’s score is three points lower than the Bay Area-wide score. Cupertino held the top honor of having the highest PCI at 84. Pacifica had the lowest score of all Bay Area jurisdictions at 44.
This is the sixth straight year during which Bay Area streets and roads have registered an average score of 67, according to the MTC. This is despite new revenue from the state gas tax that passed in 2017, called SB-1, aimed directly at funding road repairs throughout the state. Napa County Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza, who serves as chair of the MTC Board, said without the SB 1 gas tax funds, roadways would have been in even worse condition.
In Richmond, revenue for roads could have potentially been drawn from the Measure U half-cent sales tax that city voters passed in 2015. Prior to making it onto the ballot, the measure was promoted to voters as a tax aimed solely at improving Richmond’s roadways, but it would later become a general tax used to balance the city’s general fund.
Richmond Mayor Tom Butt says blame for the worsening roadways belongs to members of the Richmond Progressive Alliance who hold a majority on the City Council.
“Because the RPA City Council members are wasting so much money on litigation (Point Molate, Campus Bay, suing the mayor), fewer resources are being devoted to maintaining streets,” Mayor Butt said, adding, “This is not just an issue for Richmond drivers. The City routinely pays claims for damage and injuries caused by damaged streets.”
Pavement Condition Index (PCI) for Bay Area Jurisdictions, 2021
*Contra Costa County jurisdictions in bold
- Cupertino-84
- Orinda-83
- Palo Alto-83
- Dublin-82
- Brentwood-81
- Solano County-80
- Danville-79
- Foster City-79
- Los Altos Hills-79
- Clayton-79
- Woodside-79
- Livermore-79
- Menlo Park-79
- Burlingame-78
- Daly City-78
- Hillsborough-78
- San Ramon-78
- Pleasanton-78
- Ross-77
- Portola Valley-77
- Colma-77
- Sunnyvale-77
- Union City-76
- Yountville-76
- Windsor-76
- Tiburon-75
- Emeryville-75
- Atherton-75
- Lafayette-75
- Oakley-75
- Brisbane-75
- San Francisco-74
- Santa Clara-74
- Moraga-74
- Newark-73
- San Mateo County-73
- Morgan Hill-73
- South San Francisco-73
- Fremont-72
- Redwood City-72
- Alameda County-72
- El Cerrito-72
- Mill Valley-72
- San Mateo-71
- Milpitas-71
- Vacaville-71
- Belvedere-71
- Contra Costa County-70
- San Pablo-70
- Monte Sereno-70
- Sonoma-70
- Campbell-69
- Hayward-69
- Los Gatos-69
- Alameda-68
- Fairfield-68
- Napa-68
- Pleasant Hill-68
- Mountain View-68
- San Jose-67
- Rohnert Park-67
- Hercules-67
- Martinez-67
- San Anselmo-67
- Larkspur-67
- Novato-67
- Los Altos-66
- Corte Madera-66
- Marin County-66
- Saratoga-66
- Antioch-66
- Half Moon Bay-65
- San Rafael-65
- Dixon-65
- Healdsburg-65
- Piedmont-64
- Santa Clara County-64
- Richmond-62
- Belmont-62
- San Bruno-62
- Santa Rosa-62
- Cotati-61
- Calistoga-61
- Pittsburg-61
- American Canyon-61
- East Palo Alto-60
- Rio Vista-60
- Sausalito-60
- San Carlos-60
- Gilroy-60
- Concord-58
- Suisun City-58
- Albany-57
- Pinole-57
- Berkeley-57
- Fairfax-56
- Cloverdale-55
- San Leandro-55
- Millbrae-55
- Oakland-53
- Benicia-53
- Sonoma County-51
- Vallejo-48
- Napa County-46
- Sebastopol-46
- Petaluma-44
- Pacifica-42
BAY AREA-WIDE DATA COMPARISON:
