Report lists Tulsa as 12th worst city in nation for infastructure

[custosnox]

http://www.kjrh.com/dpp/news/local_news/report-liststulsa-as-12th-worst-city-in-nation-for-infrastructure

TULSA - A new report estimates that Tulsa drivers pay $610 more each year on additional car maintenance.

For many, this is no surprise.

Darold Stowe says he bought a car with four wheel drive just to handle all the bumps in the road.

"Yeah, my tires have worn out. This is probably the 2nd set of tires, couple of potholes here and there," he says.

While it's tough on drivers' wallets, it keeps cash rolling in for auto repair shops.

"When people come in here asking about they've got a pull in their steering wheel or there's a shake, normally when we get underneath and look at it, it tends to be something caused by the road," says Christopher Walker with Express Automotive and Tire.

Walker says he's sees everyday why Tulsa is ranked one of the worst for city infrastructure. But President Obama wants to change that. He's pushing a 50 billion dollar plan to modernize the nation's roads, rails and air systems. Local transportation officials say it's important to keep them well maintained.

"If you're new to Tulsa and you've never been here, and you come in and your first impression is you hit a big pothole, it's not the best impression that we want to leave with visitors to our city," says Alexis Higgins with Tulsa International Airport.

The plan to upgrade the system will also create new jobs and the president hopes it helps boost the economy.  His proposal will have to pass congress first. While there are many road construction projects in progress or about to start in Green Country, many say the need for maintaining them will always be there.

Just for comparison, Oklahoma City ranks number seven for bad infrastructure and number one is San Jose, California.

[Conan71]

"Darold Stowe says he bought a car with four wheel drive just to handle all the bumps in the road."

Where do they manage to find complete morons to quote on stories?  I agree with the assesment of our crumbling infrastructure, but 4 x 4 doesn't help handle the bumps in the road.

[custosnox]

I don't know, if they get much worst you might need a 4 x 4 to actually travel the roads.  Think extreme offroad, while on the road.

[waterboy]

I think he was inferring that 4x4's generally have more robust chassis's.