Decades of underinvestment on preservation and maintenance of our highways and bridges has resulted in a massive backlog of needed repairs. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), there are 111 bridges across the state that need to be replaced or rehabilitated over the next decade. WSDOT officials estimate they need about $244 million each year just to preserve pavement, which includes chip seal, asphalt, and concrete maintenance.

WSDOT officials list several strategies they have taken to pavement preservation, which include things like converting asphalt surfaces to more cost-effective chip seal and being strategic about extending pavement life before more serious rehabilitation is necessary. Getting our roads to a state of good repair is a frequent talking point of the WSDOT Secretary. Still, the backlog seems overwhelming and WSDOT leaders' concerns don't always feel genuine, especially as the agency prioritizes reducing how much people drive by expanding tolls and increasing transit use, which they view as more sustainable. 

To advance the important conversation of maintenance and preservation of our road system, the Washington State Good Roads and Transportation Association (WSGRTA) is holding an all-day summit with various speakers and time for an open discussion.

The agenda includes:

• Jermaine Smiley from the District Council of Laborers in Washington in Northern Idaho
• Bob Schuster, the former chief state transportation engineer
• Mike Lindblom, seasoned transportation reporter for The Seattle Times
• Rick Door (J-U-B), from Benton-Franklin-Walla Walla Good Roads Association
• Roger Flint (Parametric COO), from Spokane Area Good Roads Association
• Vic Bishop, WSGRTA Association Treasurer and former Chair of Eastside Transportation Association

The summit will take place on November 7^th at 9:30am until 3pm at the Laborers’ Local 242 Headquarters in Des Moines. It falls on the 75^th anniversary of voters approving the 18^th Amendment to the Washington State Constitution, which stopped the practice of officials diverting gas tax money from highway projects to other, non-highway related state expenses.