PCI scores of 90 or higher are considered "excellent." These are newly built or resurfaced streets that show little or no distress. Pavement with a PCI score in the 80 to 89 range is characterized as "very good," and shows only slight or moderate distress, requiring mostly preventive maintenance. The "good" category ranges from 70 to 79, while streets with PCI scores in the "fair" (60-69) range are becoming worn to the point where rehabilitation may be needed to prevent rapid deterioration. Because major repairs cost five to 10 times more than routine maintenance, these streets are at an especially critical stage. Roadways with PCI scores of 50 to 59 are deemed "at-risk," while those with PCI scores of 25 to 49 are considered "poor." These roads require major rehabilitation or reconstruction. Pavement with a PCI score below 25 is considered "failed." These roads are difficult to drive on and need reconstruction.

"We see a lot of streets and roads with PCI scores below 60," noted Haggerty, "particularly in older cities and in rural areas. That's the point when pavement begins going downhill fast. One of MTC's priorities is to make sure the Bay Area's cities and counties can invest in both preventive maintenance and in rehabilitation."

The complete 2009 Bay Area Pavement Conditions Summary, with a listing of PCI scores (moving average for 2006-09) and prior years' three-year moving averages for all Bay Area counties and cities, may be found at http://www.mtc.ca.gov/news/press_releases/pavement/PCI_09.pdf.

MTC is the transportation planning, funding and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

SOURCE Metropolitan Transportation Commission