Report: N.C. Commuters Spend 35 More Hours In Traffic

Posted 4:29 p.m. Apr 7, 2004 — Updated 4:29 p.m. Apr 7, 2004

RALEIGH, N.C. — If you feel like you are spending more time in traffic, you probably are.

A transportation research group says North Carolina commuters spend about 35 more hours a year stuck in congestion than they did 10 years ago.

The nonprofit group called The Road Information Program, TRIP,

released its report

Wednesday at the Chamber of Commerce in Raleigh.

Among its findings:

One-third of the state's major roads need repair.

45 percent of the state's urban highways are congested at peak hours.

North Carolina's traffic fatality rate is higher than the national average.

Road conditions cost Raleigh motorists more than $1,000 every year in lost time.

"Each year our chamber surveys our membership and we find without that transportation and mobility issues are always the first or the second item of concern or want," said Billie Redmond, former Raleigh Chamber chairwoman.

In the report called, "Paying The Price," traffic ones down to dollars and cents.The group says it just makes sense to rally for more federal dollars for North Carolina roadways.

TRIP's Frank Moretti says the report comes at a critical time -- when Washington is deliberating over federal highway costs.

"Every state wants to get as much funding as possible," Moretti said. "The funding levels that are needed to meet all the needs here in North Carolina are no longer being contemplated by Congress. The reality, though, is that there is still significant play in the final level of that bill, and obviously the higher level coming out of Washington the better it will be for North Carolina."

TRIP says North Carolina cannot rely on federal dollars and will need to put pressure on the state.

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