Taking Stock of Gaps to Be Closed

Abstract

The Federal Highway Administration uses the term gaps to be closed to identify an incomplete roadway system. Through a national survey of state departments of transportation (DOTs), this article provides a comprehensive examination of the prevalence and location of gaps to be closed, reasons for the existence of such gaps, and the current state of practice for addressing the issue of gaps to be closed. The authors find that seven states currently have gaps to be closed, which can be attributed to a lack of funding, citizen and interest group opposition, the presence of historical landmarks, an impasse on construction plans, and other political and environmental issues. They also find evidence of formal policies and specific management approaches among the states to address the issue of gaps to be closed. Conclusions are drawn from the survey results and are provided as suggestions for states and local communities to address the issue of gaps to be closed.