Roads and Bridges
Indiana’s massive transportation network
At 35,870 square miles, Indiana ranks 38th in the U.S. in terms of land mass. In comparison, Indiana’s transportation system is huge, with more road miles and bridges than many states in the nation.
97,553 public roadway miles – 19th in the U.S.
11,037 state-owned highway miles – 22nd in the U.S.
28,558 state-owned lane miles of pavement
19,017 bridges – 12th in the U.S.
5,738 bridges owned and maintained by the state – 21st in the U.S.
HEA 1002 boosted funding for roads and bridges
Currently, Indiana’s network of roads and bridges are in good shape overall. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and local governments throughout the state work very hard to preserve those transportation assets and to expand the system where needed. With the passage of HEA 1002 in 2017, their efforts received a boost in revenue as well as several mechanisms for long term road funding. Today, the Next Level Roads initiative provides an action plan for keeping road and bridge construction on the move. However, current funding methods will be challenged in the years ahead.
Indiana highway funding expected to decline in 2025
In Indiana, most of the funds for highway and bridge improvements come from state and federal motor fuel taxes. Sources of transportation funding will need to change in the coming years as revenues generated by motor fuel taxes gradually decline. The culprits are increased fuel efficiency and inflation.
In 1975, 92% of the cars produced got less than 20 MPG
In 2018, 89% of the cars produced got more than 20 MPG
Average fuel economy for cars produced in 1975 was 13.5 MPG
Average fuel economy for cars produced in 2018 was 29.9 MGP
Fuel economy of cars has increased 122% since 1975 and 29% since 2004.
In short, the funding for Indiana roads and bridges is expected to begin declining in 2025 because of fuel efficiency and inflation. Nationwide, gas consumption is projected to decline more than 30% over the next 30 years.