Five Forces Driving Up Road and Bridge Maintenance Costs

States face an $86 billion funding gap as inflation and staffing shortages make infrastructure upkeep more expensive.

Governing By Fatima Yousofi and Eli Gullett, Pew Charitable Trusts

April 15, 2026 

States are facing an $86 billion shortfall over the next decade for maintaining roads and bridges. And the U.S. is among the most expensive countries for transportation construction—projects typically cost more than three times as much as in other upper- and middle-income economies. These high costs have hindered attempts to increase infrastructure investment and with them, states’ ability to maintain and repair their roadways.

Although the specific challenges vary by state, five main factors consistently drive up costs and delay transportation projects.

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