Originally Posted by fastball

You raise another good point: there are specific taxes that go to Autobahn maintainance. Unlike here when they say "your tax dollars at work" when there is construction and you wonder what part of your taxes it is and where it goes. As far as that's concerned, for the record, the standard asphalt/concrete thickness on the Autobahn is 26", and if the slightest crack is detected, the entire section of road is replaced. In the U.S., roads can vary from 10-15" in thickness, and you're lucky if the DOT fills the chuck holes in at all. Not to mention, German roads tend to last twice as long as American roads.