Ryan Buck, chair of the Transportation Asset Management Council, presented the council's 2024 Roads and Bridges annual report, describing expanded data collection on non-federal-aid roads, improved pavement results on the federal-aid system and continuing concerns about bridge condition.

Buck said the council's budget is now $2.3 million and that additional funding was used to expand regional data collection and increase the share of non-federal-aid roads under active condition assessment. "We now have 4 years in a row that the roads in good condition in the state are what they were 20 some years ago," Buck said, and he credited improved data and targeted investment for the gains, while noting that bridge conditions remain an important concern.

The council also emphasized training and education for local elected officials, the importance of consistent data collection for forecasting and the requirement for county and some city asset-management plans. Buck said the council is updating its strategic plan and continues to work on producing easily digestible targets and messaging for elected officials and legislators.

Why it matters: The TAMC's data and forecasts inform MDOT and local decisions about how to invest scarce funds across preservation, reconstruction and routine maintenance. The council said improved data collection on non-federal routes will help local agencies plan asset investments more effectively.

Follow-up: The council plans further outreach and expects to continue expanding non-federal-aid data coverage and to refine its messaging on attainable condition targets for different asset classes.