If all the potholes or sections of cracked pavement around San Diego County were added up, a new report suggests the repairs would total $7.2 billion.
The "California Local Streets & Roads Needs Assessment 2014 update is a report with a big name and a big number for San Diego County.
The report looked at the pavement condition for every corner of our county. The two cities with the lowest grades were San Diego and Escondido.
It estimates we would need billions to get roads and bridges up to par. When it comes to streets in need, our county trails only to Los Angeles County.
Highlighting the county's problems is the city of San Diego. After years of deferred maintenance for infrastructure,- the backlog of potholes and crumbling pavement is a continuing issue for drivers.
"It really does do a number on your suspension, truthfully it does on your wheel bearings, tires, everything, it's pretty bad."
City leaders say the current commitment to infrastructure is unprecedented. Fifty percent of all new major revenue will go towards neighborhood repairs. That is estimated to be extra $21 million this fiscal year.
Local
"They're like starting to catch their tail and working on the streets and stuff, but it's still a bad drive getting from point A to point B here in North Park."
Along with roads, storm drains, and sidewalks, the report says nearly one out of four bridges in the county needs repair or replacement.
However, local leaders say that's somewhat misleading. For example, every city bridge is safe to drive on but may not be structurally modern.
What's more: 7.2 billion dollars in total repairs would make everything perfect.
Even locals admit San Diego doesn't need perfection. They'll settle for safe and functional, which these
days is still a high price to pay.
