Washington’s highway system ranks a lowly No. 37 in the nation for cost-effectiveness and road conditions.
That’s still six spots higher than last year, according to the Reason Foundation’s 24th Annual Highway Report. The state received especially low marks for urban-traffic congestion, ranking No. 42, and for spending, ranking No. 35 in total spending per mile and No. 37 in capital and bridge costs per mile.
“To improve in the rankings, Washington needs to improve its pavement condition and reduce its traffic congestion,” says Baruch Feigenbaum, lead author of the report. “The state ranks in the bottom 10 in urban arterial pavement condition, rural Interstate pavement condition and traffic congestion.”
Washington has the 16th-largest highway system in the nation.
North Dakota has the nation’s top highway system for the second consecutive year. New Jersey ranked last.
The Reason Foundation is a libertarian think tank based in Los Angeles.
