Roads in Petaluma Still Some of the Worst in the Bay Area

An annual study says Sonoma County has the worst county roads in the Bay Area, and Petaluma's streets aren't much better.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission's 2012 pavement condition index (PCI), released last week, rates the quality of Petaluma roads as 49 out of 100, and roads in unincorporated Sonoma County as 44 out of 100.

Only Larkspur and St. Helena have worse roads, both rated as 42 out of 100. The regional average is 66 out of 100 for the fourth year in a row. 

“There are thousands of miles of streets and roads around the Bay Area with PCI scores below 60,” a press release quoted MTC Vice Chair and Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese as saying. “That’s the point at which the deterioration of pavement rapidly accelerates."

The commission hopes to raise those ratings.

"For local streets and roads, the goal is to get every one of our cities and counties to a score of 75 or better," the press release quoted MTC Chair and Orinda Mayor Amy Rein Worth as saying. "Most cities’ pavement maintenance needs have far outstripped available funds for many years, so holding the line at a regional average of 66 can be seen as a partial victory."

El Cerrito was highlighted for its improvement in pavement quality; the East Bay city passed a half-cent sales tax for road improvement in 2008, and its ranking has improved for each of the past three years. Orinda and Moraga also passed half-cent sales taxes for roads last year, the MTC said.