Pavement condition in Michigan is tracked to assess what treatments will preserve the structural quality of the roads. Between 2008-2019, most counties rated their roads on a two-year cycle, represented by the last year of each cycle (i.e., data in 2009 represent the 2008-2009 survey period). Ratings were not done in 2020. Since 2021, ratings returned to a two-year cycle and are represented again by the last year of each cycle, but those years are now even-numbered years (i.e., data in 2022 represent the 2021-2022 survey period). It is important to monitor pavement conditions, as reconstructing roads in the poorest condition is many times more expensive than applying preventative treatments to roads in fair condition. Quality roads improves the efficiency and safety of travel for the region's employees, businesses, and residents.
While the ratings cycle reset in 2021 and is now being reported in even numbered-years (e.g., 2022), there is noticable improvement in the region's pavement conditions since 2019. The percentage of roads rated poor declined from 43% in 2019 to 34% in 2022. At the same time, ther percentage of road rated good increased from 21% in 2019 to 23% in 2022. The percentage of roads rated fair increased from 36% in 2019 to 43% in 2022.