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PA’s Highways Remain Poorly Managed
Pennsylvania ranks 38th in the nation in state highway performance and cost-effectiveness, according to Reason’s latest Annual Highway Report. While the Keystone State’s ranking remains unchanged, nationally highway conditions are the best they’ve been in 19 years.
The recession is partly responsible for the improvement in road conditions. People are driving less, which has helped slow pavement deterioration, reduced traffic congestion, and decreased fatalities to the lowest levels since the 1960s.
Pennsylvania ranks 26th in total highway disbursements, 30th in fatalities, and 24th in urban Interstate congestion. Pennsylvania’s best rankings come in state-controlled highway miles (4th), state highway agency miles (8th) and urban Interstate condition (18th). Pennsylvania’s lowest rankings are in narrow rural lanes (50th) and deficient or functionally obsolete bridges (49th).
Overall, North Dakota, Montana and Kansas have the most cost-effective state highway systems. Rhode Island, Alaska, California, Hawaii and New York have the least cost-effective roads.