West Virginia in the US will require an additional $5bn in funds to complete crucial road rehabilitation and rebuilding projects over the next decade, according to a study prepared by the non-profit research organisation TRIP.

The West Virginia Department of Transportation estimates that it would require about $10bn to sustain economic growth and maintain bridge and road conditions for another nine years.

Insufficient funds will in turn lead to inadequate routine maintenance, according to the Division of Highways. Pothole patching, ditch cleaning, mowing and Snow Removal and Ice Control (SRIC) will be the first tasks to be eliminated.

TRIP’s study states that each motorist in West Virginia has to pay around $280 towards tire wear, higher vehicle depreciation and increased fuel consumption due to driving on roads that need repair.

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users, or SAFETEA-LU, the present federal funding plan, lapses on 30 September.