America’s rural transportation system is in need of repairs and modernization to support economic growth and improve traffic safety in the nation’s Heartland, but the U.S. faces a $211 billion backlog in funding for needed repairs and improvements. This is according to a new report released by TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit. The report finds that the nation’s rural transportation system is in need of immediate improvements to address deficient roads and bridges, high crash rates, and inadequate connectivity and capacity.

The importance of the rural transportation system as the backbone of the nation’s energy, food and fiber supply chain has been heightened during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Farmers and ranchers depend on rural roads, highways, and bridges to move their products to market. So does the integrity of our food supply chain,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.

Colorado ranks 21st nationwide in the total percentage of rural roads with poor pavement conditions. A full 14% of Colorado’s non-highway rural roads are in poor condition, Rhode Island ranks at the top with a full 41% of rural roads in poor condition!

In 2018, 13 percent of the nation’s major rural roads were rated in poor condition, 21 percent were rated in mediocre condition, 16 percent were rated in fair condition 35 and 50 percent were rated in good condition according to the report.