The Santa Rosa metro area has the second worst roads in the nation among regions with populations of 250,000 to 500,000 — and they’re getting worse, according to a national transportation research group.

TRIP, a nonprofit, Washington-based group, reported that, based on Federal Highway Administration data for 2008, 54 percent of the roads in the Santa Rosa area were considered to be in poor condition — up from 52 percent in 2007.

The worst roads in the nation? The Antioch area in the East Bay ranked No. 1 among regions of 250,000 to 500,000 with 65 percent of its roads rated poor. Among metro areas of 500,000 plus population, San Jose was No. 1 with 64 percent of its roads rated poor.

TRIP calculated that the poor road conditions in the Santa Rosa area — the exact region wasn’t defined but likely includes all or most of Sonoma County — costs drivers an extra $698 a year to operate their cars and trucks. For the San Jose area, the extra costs was estimated at $756.

Only 3 percent of the Santa Rosa area’s roads were rated as good. Eight percent were considered in fair shape, and 35 percent were in medium shape.

California fared poorly in the TRIP report, with four regions in the worst five areas of 500,000 plus. After No. 1 San Jose was Los Angeles with 63 percent of its roads rated poor, Honolulu with 62 percent, Concord area with 58 percent and San Francisco-Oakland with 58 percent.

To read the TRIP report, CLICK HERE to go to the group’s website. The California portions of the report were highlighted by Transportation California, a group of business, labor and government organizations promoting transportation policies. That group’s website is available by clicking here.

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