When they repave a street or highway in the U.S. it seems like they use some kind of cheap asphalt that starts cracking and crumbling within months. And it's never properly joined to the curbs, driveway aprons and manholes. In Europe (France is just one example), the materials and workmanship are way better. You never see asphalt slapped on the ground like it was cake iceing. There are very few potholes (even in the Alps, where the roads have to be plowed in the winter). And the highways are pretty much free of cracks and bumps. So here's my question. Do the Europeans use different techniques and materials for their roads than here in the U.S., or do they just spend vastly greater sums of money on their public works projects?
2006-07-30 05:29:59 · 13 answers · asked by Christopher W 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
I have got to say you are completely wrong!! I am English & have
driven accross the U.S.A. north to south & east to west at least
8 times & you have the greatest system of highways in the world.
Just turn off the toll roads in France & you have plenty of
pot-holes as you do in most of Europe,dont forget that if one uses
the Auto-Routes in France to travel from say Calais to Cannes,
would cost you about £80.00, with extremely tax effective gas,
you can add another lump!!
I used to leave my appartment in Pompano Fla. to drive to my
family in B.C.. Canada & apart from a small cost on the turnpike
that was it, cheap gas, cheap tag costs, cheaper ins.
& hotels at half the price of Europe.
No Im. sorry but your road net-work is superb!!
Ralph
2006-07-30 05:47:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Maybe the counties and governments of each of your states go for the lowest tender for the contracts on the roads. That's what happens in Canada. Lowest tender can cheapen the job. The major highways are better though. Usually the county ones aren't that well maintained.
2006-07-30 05:32:03 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Higher taxes, fewer cars and lighter cars and trucks. Being a socialist country they have as much corruption and far less quality control over the road projects than most states in the US.
Except maybe Boston or New Orleans.
2006-07-30 05:46:04 · answer #3 · answered by Albert F 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well i am sure about france, but for germany they use three times thicker layer of asphalt to make a road compared to us. i think france doesnt have a lot of cars and the cars they have are really slow, so thats why they have less wear and tear on the road....
2006-07-30 05:33:59 · answer #4 · answered by Moe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The roads where I live are perfrect. I am sure many roads in France you didn't go on were horrible.
2006-07-30 05:31:46 · answer #5 · answered by TM 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because our cities like to waste money on un-important issues and could care less about the beauty of our land. Other places take pride in their country and show it in the apperarence of their land.
2006-07-30 05:34:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it has to do with the overall weight of vehicles and volume of traffic. We put a lot more wear & tear on our roads...
That said, our roads do suck something awful.
2006-07-30 05:32:18 · answer #7 · answered by Robb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
certainly one of my in charge excitement songs that I refuse to allow any of my acquaintances pay attention is "Get Down" by using B4-4, because of the fact now and returned you get a desire for some early 2000s Canadian boy band pop music.
2016-12-11 02:59:12 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Allocation of funding. The finer (or smoother) the surface, the more upkeep required.
2006-07-30 05:32:28 · answer #9 · answered by kpizura 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps they have fewer roads and higher taxes.
2006-07-30 05:32:10 · answer #10 · answered by George 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋