Your favorite/least favorite state DOT?

[kphoger]

Is it fair to blame a DOT when the legislature or the tax base is really the problem?

Is it fair to blame the legislature or the tax base, when the comparison is actually about what the DOT does with the money?

There is a reason Missouri can do more with less money (and MoDOT's freaking broke too).

Hell, InDOT, IowaDOT and WisDOT do more with less money than IDOT.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

Best: TXDot, FDOT
Worst: MDOT, IDiOT, NMDot

[Ned Weasel]

Best: TXDot, FDOT
Worst: MDOT, IDiOT, NMDot

MDOT (Michigan) has some of the most impressive roadway design I've seen and usually the best signage that I've seen.  I've heard some areas have maintenance issues, although I haven't run into bad ones personally.

[hotdogPi]

Best: TXDot, FDOT
Worst: MDOT, IDiOT, NMDot

MDOT (Michigan) has some of the most impressive roadway design I've seen and usually the best signage that I've seen.  I've heard some areas have maintenance issues, although I haven't run into bad ones personally.

There are 3 MDOTs.

[sprjus4]

For me, either TxDOT or NCDOT.

North Carolina has one long and embarrassingly bad Interstate - most of I-95 in the Tar Heel State is under-dimensioned (only two lanes each way frequently with a narrow PennDOT-style median barrier) and many of the interchanges are dangerously obsolete and need to be replaced.

Two projects - one partially under construction, and the remainder of the first plus the second to be let next year - that will widen approximately 44 miles of I-95 from 4 to 8 lanes, covering some of the oldest, obsolete, and outdated segments. Every bridge will be replaced and interchange ramps will be realigned to meet modern standards. Additionally, segments in low-lying flood-prone areas will be raised, notably near Lumberton.

I-40 to US-301 Business north of Fayetteville (Exit 56 to Exit 81) - 25 miles - $708.9 million
US-301 Business south of Fayetteville to US-301 near Lumberton (Exit 22 to Exit 40) - $448 million

None of the projects will involve tolling on I-95, as previously proposed.

Thread regarding I-95 widening in North Carolina -
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=26766.0

I will agree they've slacked with I-95, but they are making a major step forward. Additionally, they are going for 8 lane widening rather than 6 lane widening, which will ensure plenty of room for growth over the next few decades only carrying about 40,000 - 50,000 AADT today. Over the next decade, hopefully at least the other proposed 8 lane segments between I-74 and US-301 near Lumberton (Exit 13 and Exit 22) and the Fayetteville Bypass (Exit 40 to Exit 56) are funded. The rest of I-95 in North Carolina - south of I-74, and north of I-40 - are proposed to be 6 lane sections - mostly built to more modern standards than the I-40 to I-74 segment and carry slightly less traffic than that segment.

[ilpt4u]

Best: TXDot, FDOT
Worst: MDOT, IDiOT, NMDot

In defense of IDOT: They do some things well

I think IDOT is top of the good list for Traffic Signals, even including the slow uptake of the FYA (outside D4)

[hotdogPi]

I think IDOT is too of the good list for Traffic Signals, even including the slow uptake of the FYA (outside D4)

I thought their signals were horribly timed.

[ilpt4u]

Depends where you are. Some places are timed very well. YMMV

On use of Mast Arms, number of and placement of Signal heads, and me being partial to 5 section towers, I think IDOT signals are some of the best I see out there

Much better than neighboring Indiana and much more consistent compared to Missouri

[STLmapboy]

For me, either TxDOT or NCDOT.

North Carolina has one long and embarrassingly bad Interstate - most of I-95 in the Tar Heel State is under-dimensioned (only two lanes each way frequently with a narrow PennDOT-style median barrier) and many of the interchanges are dangerously obsolete and need to be replaced.

A lot of the western stuff (Charlotte and Raleigh) is very nice. From what I've seen/driven, the real problem on I-95 is in SC.

[oscar]

North Carolina has one long and embarrassingly bad Interstate - most of I-95 in the Tar Heel State is under-dimensioned (only two lanes each way frequently with a narrow PennDOT-style median barrier) and many of the interchanges are dangerously obsolete and need to be replaced.

A lot of the western stuff (Charlotte and Raleigh) is very nice. From what I've seen/driven, the real problem on I-95 is in SC.

The other SC Interstates aren't so hot, either. I'd put SCDOT on my "least favorite" list (though it's hard to top NMDOT), but not NCDOT.

[CoreySamson]

Best would probably be TxDot, even though their construction signage both tells too much info (as kphoger pointed out) as well as not enough (basically no advance warning of exits in construction zones in Houston).

DOTD would probably be at the bottom of the barrel, they make some questionable decisions, such as building the Audobon bridge instead of a new Baton Rouge bridge.

[STLmapboy]

NCDOT does a nice job as well, though its insistence on still installing signals with span wires disturbs me.

Can't disagree with this one.

And backplates aren't even a word in their vocabulary (still installing new bare yellow signals).

[Crown Victoria]

I'm surprised that PennDOT hasn't come up on anyone's list yet.  There's plenty to dislike about them...but I won't call them the worst.

Of states I've been to, I'd say VDOT ranks highly.  I've always considered Virginia's roads to be of high quality (even with relatively low gas taxes, which are going up soon).

SCDOT, on the other hand...not so good.  But maybe with higher gas taxes, they'll improve.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

DOTD would probably be at the bottom of the barrel, they make some questionable decisions, such as building the Audobon bridge instead of a new Baton Rouge bridge.

This is why my man cjk374 says DOTD stands for "Department of Total Destruction"  

[Brandon]

I think IDOT is too of the good list for Traffic Signals, even including the slow uptake of the FYA (outside D4)

I thought their signals were horribly timed.

Timing?  IDOT doesn't really do timing.  About 99% of signals in this state owned by IDOT are actuated.

[Scott5114]

Favorite: KDOT posts some of the most well-designed signage in the country, and is extremely consistent from panel to panel. One would be forgiven for thinking it was all drawn up by one guy in Topeka.

MoDOT and KTA get honorable mentions because they've both been extremely helpful when I've contacted them.

Least favorite: Need I even say? But it's OklaDOT. Signs that look like they were designed by a drunk four-year-old coupled with batshit insane work zone design and refusal to even respond to emails does not make for a great experience.

[cpzilliacus]

I'm surprised that PennDOT hasn't come up on anyone's list yet.  There's plenty to dislike about them...but I won't call them the worst.

Maybe because I know a little about PennDOT (I live in Maryland, and we share a long border with Pennsylvania), I am not a fan of Pennsylvania's highway system - but - it seems that a lot of the blame for PennDOT's problems resides in the Pennsylvania legislature, where low taxes on motor fuel have (until about the past 5 or 6 years) been a higher priority than maintaining the highway network, including bridges.  Now Pennsylvania seems to have has been dealt a bad hand - maybe more than most states, the Keystone State has a very expensive geography when it comes to highways and bridges, which plenty of mountains (none of those mountains all that tall) and rivers across so much of the state.  There are others states that are similar (including especially West Virginia) that also have a lot of bridges over large and small rivers - and bridges tend to get expensive pretty quickly.

Of states I've been to, I'd say VDOT ranks highly.  I've always considered Virginia's roads to be of high quality (even with relatively low gas taxes, which are going up soon).

Agree regarding VDOT.  Though I do not agree with conclusions and policies imposed on VDOT by previous governors of the Commonwealth and previous general assemblies, I have deep respect for them as an agency (most of my dealings with VDOT are Northern Virginia District and the Central Office in Richmond).  Beyond that, VDOT has gotten significantly better as an agency in the 35+ years that I have been dealing with them.

Regarding fuel taxes, remember that there are also transit subsidy taxes imposed on fuel sold in certain cities and counties of Virginia, so that low gas prices in a rural county will not be the same in places like Northern Virginia, where a 2.1% tax on fuel sales is imposed to subsidize the Washington regional Metrorail and Metrobus systems.  PRTC, south of Northern Virginia and as far south as Spotsylvania County collects a 2% tax.  In the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, a 2.1% tax is also levied on fuel sales.  Beyond those, there are relatively new taxes that are charged on fuel sold in counties and cities along the I-81 corridor.

SCDOT, on the other hand...not so good.  But maybe with higher gas taxes, they'll improve.

SCDOT has the good fortune to be in a location where they do not have all that much in the way of freeze-thaw cycles, nor is there much need to salt their highways.   Those reduce maintenance costs and probably means that they do not have much in the way of snowplows and sanding/salting equipment. 

[sprjus4]

Regarding fuel taxes, remember that there are also transit subsidy taxes imposed on fuel sold in certain cities and counties of Virginia, so that low gas prices in a rural county will not be the same in places like Northern Virginia, where a 2.1% tax on fuel sales is imposed to subsidize the Washington regional Metrorail and Metrobus systems.  PRTC, south of Northern Virginia and as far south as Spotsylvania County collects a 2% tax.  In the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, a 2.1% tax is also levied on fuel sales.  Beyond those, there are relatively new taxes that are charged on fuel sold in counties and cities along the I-81 corridor.

The tax will be levied statewide by 2021 to help fund transportation projects going forth, and will increase with inflation.

[Crown Victoria]

I'm surprised that PennDOT hasn't come up on anyone's list yet.  There's plenty to dislike about them...but I won't call them the worst.

Maybe because I know a little about PennDOT (I live in Maryland, and we share a long border with Pennsylvania), I am not a fan of Pennsylvania's highway system - but - it seems that a lot of the blame for PennDOT's problems resides in the Pennsylvania legislature, where low taxes on motor fuel have (until about the past 5 or 6 years) been a higher priority than maintaining the highway network, including bridges.  Now Pennsylvania seems to have has been dealt a bad hand - maybe more than most states, the Keystone State has a very expensive geography when it comes to highways and bridges, which plenty of mountains (none of those mountains all that tall) and rivers across so much of the state.  There are others states that are similar (including especially West Virginia) that also have a lot of bridges over large and small rivers - and bridges tend to get expensive pretty quickly.

Of states I've been to, I'd say VDOT ranks highly.  I've always considered Virginia's roads to be of high quality (even with relatively low gas taxes, which are going up soon).

Agree regarding VDOT.  Though I do not agree with conclusions and policies imposed on VDOT by previous governors of the Commonwealth and previous general assemblies, I have deep respect for them as an agency (most of my dealings with VDOT are Northern Virginia District and the Central Office in Richmond).  Beyond that, VDOT has gotten significantly better as an agency in the 35+ years that I have been dealing with them.

Regarding fuel taxes, remember that there are also transit subsidy taxes imposed on fuel sold in certain cities and counties of Virginia, so that low gas prices in a rural county will not be the same in places like Northern Virginia, where a 2.1% tax on fuel sales is imposed to subsidize the Washington regional Metrorail and Metrobus systems.  PRTC, south of Northern Virginia and as far south as Spotsylvania County collects a 2% tax.  In the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, a 2.1% tax is also levied on fuel sales.  Beyond those, there are relatively new taxes that are charged on fuel sold in counties and cities along the I-81 corridor.

SCDOT, on the other hand...not so good.  But maybe with higher gas taxes, they'll improve.

SCDOT has the good fortune to be in a location where they do not have all that much in the way of freeze-thaw cycles, nor is there much need to salt their highways.   Those reduce maintenance costs and probably means that they do not have much in the way of snowplows and sanding/salting equipment.

Yes I agree that PennDOT has its challenges even if it has/would have plentiful funding. The roads here in Penn's Woods have become noticeably better lately, but we have a long way to go. 

As far as VDOT, even with the regional fuel taxes, their rates are still decently low compared to many other states with worse roads.  Of course there is room for improvement anywhere, but they've done a good job I think with what they have.

[Henry]

I have to agree with those who picked NCDOT and TXDOT as the two best DOTs nationwide. They really set the bar high for all others, and they genuinely care enough about their highways (including signage and lighting) to improve and make them even better than they were before.

[index]

If you want to go by the aesthetic quality of the way they design their roads, my favorite would tie between FDOT and WSDOT. There's something very pleasing about the way these two DOTs do things, especially WSDOT. They're immediately recognizable and pretty distinct from other states with their standards. MDSHA is also very good, I'm surprised they haven't got a mention yet.

My least favorite in terms of safety/practicality, on the other hand, would be SCDOT. Everything they do is garbage. Some of their design choices are interesting, but by and large, they're one of the worst DOTs in the nation. Bad roads, weird road design, intersections and their configurations unchanged from the 50s, etc etc. They're still making uncrowned roads with no reflective markers that still have paint instead of thermoplastics in two thousand and freaking twenty.

NCDOT does a nice job as well, though its insistence on still installing signals with span wires disturbs me.

Can't disagree with this one.

And backplates aren't even a word in their vocabulary (still installing new bare yellow signals).

With NCDOT, with little details like backplates, masts, and spanwires, YMMV, depending on state DOT district and where you are. Some new installs do have them. From what I've seen on GSV they're more common in the northeastern bit of the state, less common elsewhere.  Mast installations also seem to be more common towards the coast.

[kphoger]

TxDOT wins for me based on striping and signage.

(even if they do have those stupid "obey warning signs" things...)

Best would probably be TxDot, even though their construction signage both tells too much info (as kphoger pointed out) ...

I don't think those are "construction signage".

[CoreySamson]

TxDOT wins for me based on striping and signage.

(even if they do have those stupid "obey warning signs" things...)

Best would probably be TxDot, even though their construction signage both tells too much info (as kphoger pointed out) ...

I don't think those are "construction signage".

I usually only see those signs in construction zones...

[kphoger]

TxDOT wins for me based on striping and signage.

(even if they do have those stupid "obey warning signs" things...)

Best would probably be TxDot, even though their construction signage both tells too much info (as kphoger pointed out) ...

I don't think those are "construction signage".

I usually only see those signs in construction zones...

I did some digging around the internet, and I guess you must be right.  Maybe I'm just remembering wrong, or else the signs were left up after the project was completed.  Anyway, a nice side benefit of my digging is that I found the definition of "warning signs" in this context:

§ 472.022. Obeying Warning Signs and Barricades

(a) A person commits an offense if the person:

   (1) disobeys the instructions, signals, warnings, or markings of a warning sign ...

(e) In this section:

   (3) "Warning sign"  means a signal, marking, or device placed on a barricade or on a road, street, or highway during construction, repair, or dangerous conditions by the department, a political subdivision of this state, or a contractor or subcontractor to warn or regulate motor vehicular traffic.  The term includes a flagger deployed on a road, street, or highway by the department, a political subdivision of this state, or a contractor or subcontractor to direct traffic around or on the road, street, or highway during construction, repair, or dangerous conditions.

So, even though we can debate whether it's possible to obey a sign that does nothing but warn drivers of something, the legal definition behind the signs includes those that "regulate" motor vehicle traffic, which broadens the category a bit.

[Great Lakes Roads]

Best: TxDOT, WISDOT, INDOT, and ADOT.

TxDOT: World-class infrastructure, four and five level stack interchanges, frontage roads, etc.
WISDOT: Roundabouts, stack interchanges, and massive reconstruction and widening projects (i.e. I-94 North-South, I-39/90, etc.), four-lane freeways/expressways to major cities
ADOT: Best freeway system (Phoenix), stack interchanges, crazy mountain roads
INDOT (my home state): freeway closures in a major city (Indianapolis), roundabouts

Worst: ODOT (Oklahoma), IDOT, PennDOT, and RIDOT
ODOT: Signs are goofy, unimpressive interchanges, etc.
IDOT: Terrible roads and terrible bridges (except for the ISTHA)
PennDOT: Narrow (literally everything)
RIDOT: Worst bridges and worst roads that I've ever driven on