The overall condition of roads in Richmond have been on a downward trend every year since 2019.
In 2023, the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of the city with 583.4 total lane miles was 59 out of 100, down from 60 in 2022, 63 in 2021 and 64 in 2020 and 2019, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s annual pavement condition data.
With a score of 59, the city’s roads declined from the designation of “fair” condition in 2022 to “at risk” last year. The MTC warns about persistent road degradation, as major repairs “cost five to 10 times more than routine maintenance.”
In the Bay Area overall, pavement conditions remained in “fair” condition last year with a score of 67, meaning they are “becoming worn to the point where rehabilitation may be needed to prevent rapid deterioration,” according to the MTC.
San Francisco’s PCI was 74 last year, while Oakland’s was 57.
Larkspur, the Marin County city that was in the “poor” range for PCI back in 2017, recorded the Bay Area’s best PCI score of 89, tied with Orinda and Palo Alto. The MTC credited Larkspur for using local sales taxes to rehabilitate its 65 lane-miles of streets.
In terms of West Contra Costa cities, El Cerrito is experiencing a significant decline in PCI, from a score of 76 in 2021 to 69 last year. Martinez’ PCI rose from 2021-2023 from 64 to 68.
San Pablo is also seeing a decline from a score of 71 in 2021 to 67 last year, as is Hercules falling from 67 to 64 in the same time period. Pinole is also on the decline with a PCI of of 56, down from 59 in 2021.
Contra Costa County unincorporated areas scored a 71.
