The Reason Foundation, which describes itself as an organization that promotes free minds and free markets, has released its Annual Highway Report and ranks Minnesota 25th in the nation, a decline of 10 spots in one year. Minnesota can be proud of its low fatality rates as well as the condition of its bridges, however the deteriorating condition of rural Interstates, high urban Interstate congestion, and poor conditions on state highway miles bring the overall condition and cost-effectiveness of Minnesota roads down. The full report is on the Reason Foundation‘s website.
I expect that when the 2010 ranking is published, we will see an increase due to the many road improvement projects funded by the bi-partisan effort to increase the gas tax here in Minnesota and by the Federal Recovery Act.