Pavement Preservation Funding and Performance in Washington State

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) maintains more than 18,000 lane miles of state highway pavement, consisting of three pavement surface types: hot-mix asphalt, bituminous surface treatment (or chip seal), and portland cement concrete pavement. WSDOT has by legislative direction in state law maintained a specific budget item within the agency's capital budget for pavement preservation. Although these funds have not kept pace with inflation and are subject to other transportation spending priorities, such as maintenance, traffic operations, safety, congestion relief, and environmental retrofit, the end result is encouraging. But challenges loom. That point is illustrated by examination of what funds were spent by biennium and pavement type. This is followed by an overview of the current condition and performance of the state-managed pavements and where there are growing needs. A combined view of expenditures and performance suggests that the WSDOT process works reasonably well.