<p>Cracks pose a persistent challenge in the design and construction of rural cement concrete roads. Any factor associated with the design, construction, operation, or external environment can lead to cracks in general transportation projects. Specifically, issues related to maintenance during the construction phase and vehicles exceeding weight limits during the operation phase are noteworthy concerns deserving attention. This study aims to evaluate potential causes of cracks from the design to the operation stage and develop a model to assess the likelihood of transverse crack occurrence. A literature review and expert input were utilized to pinpoint the research problem. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire distributed to stakeholders. Using the frequency index (FI), severity index (SI), and importance index (IMP.I), five primary causes of cracks in rural road projects have been pinpointed. These influencing causes are categorized into four main groups with factor loadings exceeding 0.5 and extracted variances exceeding 50%: construction-related, design-related, maintenance-related, and environmental-related factors. The binary regression model accurately predicts the likelihood of cracks occurring with an 86.8% success rate. Additionally, a case study validates the high suitability of this model. The primary causes identified in this study provide valuable insights for assessing crack formation. The outcomes of constructing a predictive model for transverse crack occurrence based on these causes are highly dependable and applicable in practical settings.</p>