Highway construction and maintenance costs

This paper gives details of the results of research on maintenance management practices and expenditures on road infrastructure in the province of New Brunswick during the period 1965-1994. An analysis of historic levels of spending on road maintenance, rehabilitation and new construction; current maintenance management practice; and the source and allocation of funds indicated three trends: (i) routine and preventive maintenance funding has steadily decreased over the past 30 years while traffic and vehicle registrations have increased; (ii) maintenance expenditures are not keeping pace with system needs; and (iii) there is a need for a review of traditional construction and maintenance management practices. Three cost prediction models were developed to determine an accurate cost for road maintenance. Based on the models and the management review, it was concluded that maintenance funding needs to be increased by 25% in conjunction with the implementation of a comprehensive maintenance management system, if the Department of Transportation is to adequately meet the current and future needs of the existing road network.