Its system of roadways, bridges, and railroad crossing are aging and deteriorating rapidly.
Traffic exceeds capacity on many stretches of local and state roads.
Wide-scale widening and rebuilding of bridges are needed throughout the state, and many railroad crossings need improvement. Washington's roadway system is extensive, as illustrated in Table 1. Another indicator of the extent of Washington's roadway system is its utilization. Road system use is measured in terms of the vehicle miles traveled, which is the sum of the average distance driven by every vehicle on state, city, and county roads. Travel and tourism has become this state's fifth largest employer.