The Tucson area's pothole problem has grown into a $2 billion budget buster.
The Pima Association of Governments staff is working on a report about local pavement maintenance - or lack thereof.
In an update to the Regional Council Thursday, PAG official Paul Casertano said: "No one's surprised. The real challenge comes in securing dedicated funding for ongoing pavement maintenance activities and committing to regular maintenance."
In Tucson, 25 percent of major roads and 55 percent of residential roads are in failing condition. And in Pima County, 66 percent of roads are in poor or failing condition.
"We're looking at an investment in the range of $2 billion," he said, to get all those roads to good condition while keeping other good roads from becoming poor roads.
Next month the PAG Regional Council will get a State of the Roads report, including recommendations for "an aggressive stance against the further deterioration of the region's roadways," Casertano said.
Steve Christy, Regional Transportation Authority vice chair and state Transportation Board member, said local governments already know the condition of streets isn't good, and PAG should start managing a maintenance program.
Other recommendations for discussion by the Regional Council could include report cards calling out jurisdictions for good or bad maintenance performance, taxes, private funding incentives and regionwide maintenance goals.
To report potholes
• Within city limits, call 791-3154.
• In the county, call 740-2639.
Contact reporter Becky Pallack at bpallack@azstarnet.com or 573-4346. On Twitter @BeckyPallack.
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