Guest Column: Fixing Sacramento County roads must be a priority

By Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez–
Since taking office in January, I’ve had countless conversations with residents across Sacramento County who are fed up with the condition of our roads—and I don’t blame them. From crumbling pavement to massive potholes, our infrastructure is showing its age. This is not just an inconvenience. It’s a safety issue, and one that I am committed to addressing head-on. 

The scale of the problem is significant. Our current deferred maintenance backlog for county roads is nearly $1.4 billion, and that number continues to grow each year we fail to act. To put it into perspective, Sacramento County’s average pavement condition score sits at a dismal 41 out of 100. We currently invest about $30 million annually in road repairs, but experts say we need at least $60 million per year just to keep the problem from getting worse. 

Importantly, Sacramento County is the only (or one of the only) jurisdictions in the region that contributes General Fund dollars toward fixing roads. In the current budget, that contribution is $20 million, with the remaining $10 million coming from other sources like state and federal transportation funds. That General Fund investment shows how seriously we take this issue—but even with it, we’re still playing catch-up. 

Some have suggested a new local tax measure to address the shortfall, but I’m approaching that idea with caution. Time and again, we’ve seen these measures fail at the ballot box, and with good reason. Instead of focusing squarely on repairing our roads, past proposals have spread funding across a wide array of projects like bike lanes and public transit.

While I absolutely believe those components have their place in a healthy transportation network, they don’t reflect what the majority of residents are asking for right now. When voters are told they’re paying to fix roads, the money needs to go to fixing roads—not to projects policymakers think the public should want. 

In the meantime, I want residents to know that we are taking immediate action where we can. Potholes reported to the County are typically filled within days—sometimes sooner. If you see one, I encourage you to call 311, or reach out to my office directly. We’ll make sure the right crew gets dispatched quickly. It might not solve our long-term challenges, but it does make a difference in the day-to-day lives of our residents. 

The reality is that we didn’t get into this situation overnight, and we won’t get out of it overnight either. But make no mistake—this is one of my top priorities. I will continue to push for smarter, more effective investments in our infrastructure, and I’ll make sure your voices are heard as we shape the future of transportation in Sacramento County. 

We all want safe, smooth, and reliable roads. With the right focus and the political will to follow through, I believe we can get there. If you’d like to share your thoughts or concerns with me, you can always reach my office at 916-874-5491 or email me at SupervisorRodriguez@saccounty.gov. 

Rosario Rodriguez represents Sacramento County Supervisorial District 4, which includes the cities of Citrus Heights and Folsom, and the unincorporated communities of Orangevale, Antelope, North Highlands, Rio Linda, Elverta, and Rancho Murieta.