Over 60 per cent of the mileage on the State System does not generate enough revenue to cover the cost of upkeep. That is, nearly 4000 miles of roadway operate at a loss. These are roads under state jurisdiction. The situation appears to be even worse for county and local roads. The investment performance of various portions of the State Highway System shows wide disparities in the returns generated vs. the costs incurred.
Some segments cover their costs many times over.
On the other hand, many segments won't even generate enough revenues to cover a fraction of their anticipated costs. Even if taxes were doubled, over 45 per cent of the system's mileage would not generate enough revenue to cover the cost. If taxes were quadrupled, nearly 30 per cent of the State System would not cover the cost of upkeep. Finally, there are segments where the expenses are so high, or the revenues so low, that they can't even cover 10 per cent of the cost. Over 780 miles of the Arizona State Highway System falls into this category.