Durham County Council has reduced the backlog of repair works in its road network - but it still stands at nearly £180m.
New maintenance figures were revealed to councillors this month showing the colossal cost of keeping roads up to standard.
An estimated £179.7m is needed to keep its 3,797km of carriageway, 1,483 structures and 83,045 street lights in a good condition.
The costings also cover maintenance on other elements such as kerbs, drainage, street furniture and road markings.
Despite budget pressures, the overall backlog is down from £187.6m on the previous year (2017), and falls against a backdrop of increased council investment into roads.
A report, presented to the council's Special Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee on March 21, stated the council has benefited from government grant funding to keep roads up to scratch.
Head of technical services on the council, John Reed, described the situation as a "complex story of reduced revenue funding but more money in terms of capital."
Since 2010/11, the council's contribution to capital maintenance has jumped from £0.7million to £8.1million for the coming year (2019/20).
However, the condition of unclassified roads are still below average - including rural roads and estate roads.
According to data, around 21.5% of footways are classed as "structurally unsound".
Councillors were told regular inspections take place to flag potential defects with repairs prioritised to provide the "right treatment at the right time."
Following a mild winter this year, previous issues caused by the 'Beast from the East' have allowed engineers make progress with road repairs.
This includes resurfacing works to prevent the formation of potholes, with a extensive work on B and C roads since 2017.
Lib Dems hold seat with huge majority Esh and Witton Gilbert by-election
Committee chairman, Coun Eddy Adam said: "I think members respect the tough time we have had with austerity and doing more with less, which seems to be the case.
"I think the investment the council have been putting in is in recognising the fact is you need to keep spending on roads and highways.
"I think it's been the right move for the county council to continue to invest in our structures."
Durham County Council has maintained the maximum 'Band 3' efficiency under the Department for Transport 's incentive fund since it was introduced in 2016.
In recent years, council bosses also trialled 'plastic roads' using non-recyclable plastics in repair works.
Councillors back plans for new 141-home estate on Wearside
In the case of the A689 Sedgefield, 6.5 tonnes of plastic was used - equivalent to 1.5million plastic bags.
Coun Stuart Dunn added: "While the council's overall budget has been cut by a quarter of a billion pounds through austerity from 2010 to 2019/20 there has been a political change in how we have spent our money.
"In 2018 we spent £25m, in 2019 we're going to spend £26m, if you look back at 2013 we were spending half that amount.
"Members have actually used the data and prioritised it.
"While the authority's actual spending power has been declining, we have recognised this is a major issue for the people of County Durham and are choosing to invest.
"There has been that political choice for us to invest more in the roads and that's reflected in the increase in quality.
"I absolutely agree that footpaths need to be next."
Residents up in arms after housing development on former school site is given green light
Flats plan for car park at former Durham printworks site rejected by councillors
